MiTEx

Mitex (Micro - Satellite Technology Experiment; German microsatellite technology experiment ) is a satellite mission of the U.S. military, including the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency ( DARPA ), the Air Force and the Navy. The mission consists of two small satellites, which are used to test new technologies. Designed and built were the satellite from Lockheed Martin and Orbital Sciences Corporation.

The mission was launched on 21 June 2006 aboard a Delta II rocket at Cape Canaveral. In this case, an additional from the Naval Research Laboratory ( NRL) developed specifically for this mission high school was used. The mission lasts one year, but as subject of the mission history of secrecy, is likely to be known about the results little.

Some sources suggest mitex could be a project to test technologies to attack other satellites, or even the two satellites are already fully functional weapons. This is justified by the fact that the Department of Defense publishes no information about the satellites (but which is not unusual ) and that the allegedly proven technologies from any major technical benefits are. These assumptions should be viewed with skepticism.

Technology

The mission consists of the mitex upper stage, and the two (non- identical ) Satellite mitex -A and -B mitex. Mitex -A was built by Orbital Sciences Corporation, mitex -B Lockheed Martin. The two satellites, it was all about, lightweight systems in the areas of drive, power supply and avionics, but also to test lighter structures. In addition, we experimented with processors from mass production and lower production and launch preparation procedures.

The satellites each weigh about 230 kg, and are powered by two solar panels with power. The experiments are carried out by the satellites are largely autonomously, as well as the life support systems, and navigation. The Delta II rocket put the satellite into a geostationary transfer orbit, from where they were placed in a geostationary orbit using the mitex - advanced level. The exact positions of the satellites are secret.

The upper level served the technology test. So novel attitude control jets and batteries, lightweight structures and fuel tanks as well as series-manufactured valves and navigation devices were used to verify their suitability for future missions.