MSI, the prime integrator of TechSat 21, along with the U.S. Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL), have created a national program team that includes Raytheon, Global Solar Energy, Broad Reach Engineering, Advanced Solutions, Inc., Lockheed Martin, TRW, ITT and General Dynamics Advanced Information Systems.

The AFRL Space Vehicles Directorate, and the U.S. Air Force Office of Scientific Research, announced plans for a revolutionary system of formation-flying satellites that quickly adapt to rapidly changing mission requirements.

TechSat 21 envisions collaborative clusters of interdependent micro-satellites, each weighing approximately 150 kilograms and flying in close, bird-like formations. The clusters eventually will circle the earth and replace many of today's single, larger satellites.

"Satellites in a cluster that 'talk' to each other and share data processing, payload, and mission functions now performed by conventional satellites will be smaller, lighter, less expensive to launch, and offer more immediate information-gathering versatility to the war-fighter," said Maurice Martin, AFRL Space Vehicles Directorate's TechSat 21 program manager.

"They will also cost less than current satellites because they can be mass produced and placed in orbit using smaller launch vehicles -- perhaps even by a military jet such as an F-15," he added.

Three micro-satellites are planned for launch in 2005 on a Boeing Delta IV medium-class Evolved Expendable Launch Vehicle (EELV). The satellites will operate as a close-proximity cluster with the Raytheon radars synchronized in time and position, creating a virtual satellite providing much greater capability than radar on a single satellite. Other technology applications include global positioning, mapping of the earth's surface and communications.

"We are very pleased to have Raytheon on board as our partner in the development of the next-generation satellites. Their experience in Synthetic Aperture Radar enhances the vision of MSI in virtual satellites for the 21st century," said MSI president, Dr. Mohan Misra.

MSI, with headquarters in Littleton, Colorado, designs, manufactures, integrates, and tests small satellites and spacecraft subsystems, such as lightweight thin film solar arrays, structures and mechanisms.

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