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MUBLCOM
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The Multiple Paths, Beyond-Line-of-Sight Communications (MUBLCOM) satellite (COSPAR 1999-026B, SATCAT 25736), built for the Pentagon's Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency, was launched in May 1999 by a Pegasus. Its mission was to demonstrate a capability to provide space-based digital voice and data communications to combat forces or commercial users that were previously considered out of range of standard radio communications systems.
Quick Facts Mission type, Operator ...
![]() DART (bottom) approaching the MUBLCOM satellite (top) | |
Mission type | Technology Demonstrator |
---|---|
Operator | DARPA |
COSPAR ID | 1999-026B ![]() |
SATCAT no. | 25736 |
Spacecraft properties | |
Launch mass | 100 kilograms (220 lb) |
Dry mass | 50 kilograms (110 lb) |
Start of mission | |
Launch date | May 18, 1999 (1999-05-18) |
Rocket | Pegasus |
Launch site | Vandenberg |
Contractor | Orbital |
Orbital parameters | |
Reference system | Geocentric |
Regime | Low Earth |
Eccentricity | 0.000384 |
Perigee altitude | 726 kilometers (451 mi) |
Apogee altitude | 732 kilometers (455 mi) |
Inclination | 97.7 degrees |
Period | 99.4 minutes |
Close
On April 15, 2005, the Demonstration of Autonomous Rendezvous Technology (DART) spacecraft collided with the MUBLCOM satellite while attempting to rendezvous with it.