Subscribe with SteadyShepherd Demonstration
Shepherd Demonstration is an experimental geostationary satellite built for the US Space Force to conduct technological experiments.
The Shepherd Demonstration satellite hosts payloads that mature technologies and accelerate risk reduction efforts to inform programs of record. No details are known. Reportedly the Shepherd Demonstration satellite carries multiple Space Force payloads, and is based on an ESPA ring, a circular structure with attachment ports for experiments and instruments.
It was launched on the USSF-44 (formerly AFSPC-44) mission on an Falcon-Heavy (Block 5)(px).
| Nation: | USA |
|---|---|
| Type / Application: | Technology |
| Operator: | |
| Contractors: | |
| Equipment: | |
| Configuration: | Propulsive ESPA |
| Propulsion: | ? |
| Power: | Deployable solar array, batteries |
| Lifetime: | |
| Mass: | |
| Orbit: | GEO |
| Satellite | COSPAR | Date | LS | Launch Vehicle | Remarks | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Shepherd Demonstration (USA 339, USSF 44 PL1, AFSPC 44 PL1) | 2022-144B | 01.11.2022 | CCK LC-39A | Falcon-Heavy (Block 5)(px) | with Shepherd Demonstration (USA 339, USSF 44), LDPE 2, Tetra 1, Alpine, LINUSS 1, 2, USA 344, USA 399, USA 546, USA 547, USA 548, USA 551, USA 552, USA 553, USA 556, USA 557 |
Launch Sites:
- CCK = NASA John F. Kennedy Space Center, Cape Canaveral, Florida, USA
References:
- Spaceflight Now: Falcon Heavy rocket on the launch pad for one of SpaceXs most complex missions, 31 October 2022
