Reflector (microsatellite)

Reflector (USA-163) is a space debris research microsatellite built in Russia^[when?] by NII KP for the United States Air Force Research Lab at Kirtland AFB.^[1]

There was some confusion about whether or not the USA-163 designation had actually ever been assigned,^[2] which stemmed from the fact that more than one microsatellite may fly on a given launch vehicle. A single modern launch may result in multiple maneuvering spacecraft reaching different final orbits (for example, some CubeSats, and the satellites of SpaceX's StarLink system).

References

1. Claude Lafleur (2004-10-01). "Spacecrafts [sic&#93 Launched in 2001". Retrieved 2015-05-27.
2. "SeeSat-L - Milstar 5 on OIG". SeeSat-L. 2002-01-16. Retrieved 2012-10-01.