Session
Technical Session X: Program Management
Abstract
This paper is presented as an overview of the lessons learned from the controlled reentry of the Air Force Miniature Sensor Technology Integration program's third satellite (MSTI-3). Since the launch of Sputnik in 1957, the amount of space debris in orbit has progressively increased to potentially hazardous levels. In light of these facts, the National Space Policy directs the United States to minimize the creation of space debris. NASA has already adopted a policy to limit the generation of orbital debris, and DoD policy has supported debris minimization for well over a decade. The MSTI-3 spacecraft was neither designed, nor intended, to perform a controlled reentry following the completion of its primary mission objectives. In spite of this fact, after receiving direction to prepare for reentry on 10 November 1997, the MSTI-3 spacecraft was successfully de-orbited and all debris concentrated into a 100 x 10 km square in the Pacific Ocean on 11 December 1997. This report outlines the procedures and processes developed by the various participants during the reentry of the MSTI-3 spacecraft, discusses obstacles which were encountered, and provides a framework for future satellite disposal events.
Lessons Learned from the Miniature Sensor Technology Integration (MSTI) -3 Controlled Reentry
This paper is presented as an overview of the lessons learned from the controlled reentry of the Air Force Miniature Sensor Technology Integration program's third satellite (MSTI-3). Since the launch of Sputnik in 1957, the amount of space debris in orbit has progressively increased to potentially hazardous levels. In light of these facts, the National Space Policy directs the United States to minimize the creation of space debris. NASA has already adopted a policy to limit the generation of orbital debris, and DoD policy has supported debris minimization for well over a decade. The MSTI-3 spacecraft was neither designed, nor intended, to perform a controlled reentry following the completion of its primary mission objectives. In spite of this fact, after receiving direction to prepare for reentry on 10 November 1997, the MSTI-3 spacecraft was successfully de-orbited and all debris concentrated into a 100 x 10 km square in the Pacific Ocean on 11 December 1997. This report outlines the procedures and processes developed by the various participants during the reentry of the MSTI-3 spacecraft, discusses obstacles which were encountered, and provides a framework for future satellite disposal events.
