Mightysat-2 (P99-1)

Mightysat 2.1 [Spectrum Astro]

Mightysat 2.1 (meaning first flight of the series-2 version) is an military minisatellite to test / demonstrate components for future utilization. The 130 kg spacecraft carries two kinds of hardware for tests. In the list of "unproven technologies" are:

• SAC which focuses solar energy on solar cells;
• NSX that is an ultra-light weight communications unit; and
• MFCBS that contains a multifunctional composite bus structure.

In the list of "stand alone experiments" are:

• FTHSI that provides hyperspectral images through a Fourier transform technique;
• QS40 that monitors radiation damage in microelectronic components;
• SMATTE to investigate the bimodal behavior of composite sheets that change physical properties such as stiffness by tailored thermal inputs but can recover to the original status after heating above a transition temperature; and
• SAFI that carries embedded copper wires in a composite film to help reduce the weight of components.

The spacecraft remained operational until its natural reentry into the atmosphere in November 2002 at well over twice its design lifetime.

Four more satellites in The MightySat-2 series were planned, but were finally cancelled.