 | Artist's rendering of an early warning Space-Based System Satellite. The satellite is one of five GEO satellites for the space-based infrared system. It will have a high-speed scanning sensor and complementary advanced resolution staring sensor. Launch of the first satellite is expected in 2002 (Courtesy of Lockheed Martin). |
 | Trend in reducing spacecraft mass (courtesy of JPL). |
 | The TRW-built "Lewis" Lightsat is part of NASA’s Small Spacecraft Technology Initiative (SSTI). It offers advanced capabilities and will furnish data for a wide range of users. The spacecraft weight is 385.6 kg and will be launched by LMLV-1 to a 523 km, Sun-synchronous orbit (courtesy of TRW Space and Electronics Group). |
 | Artists’ renderings of the Space Test Experiment Platform (STEP) and the MightySat II spacecraft. The STEP spacecraft is 60 ´ 36 in. (stowed) and weighs 870 lb. Its design is configured to allow the use of two different altitude control schemes required by the on-board experiments. It will be launched on Pegasus XL to an operational orbit of 600 km circular. The MightySat II spacecraft is 20 ´ 24 ´ 30 in. and weighs 275 lb. (including 125 lb. payload). It will carry experimental payloads such as space-debris sensors, advanced structures, and battery technologies, and place them in low-Earth orbit. First flight planned for 1999 (courtesy of TRW Space and Electronics Group, U.S. Air Force Phillips Laboratory, and Spectrum Astro, Inc.). |
 | BITSY - One kg satellite built by AeroAstro for the U.S. Air Force. |
 | Artist’s rendering of Deep Space-1 (DS-1) spacecraft scheduled for launch in July 1998 to fly by Asteroid McAuliffe and Comet Kohoutek-Ikemura. The spacecraft wet launch mass is 480 kg, has a solar electric ion propulsion system, multi-functional structure, miniature integrated camera and spectrometer (courtesy of JPL and Spectrum Astro, Inc.). |
 | Artist’s rendering of Deep Space-2 (DS-2) Mars microprobes to be mounted on Mars 98 Lander cruise ring for single-stage Mars entry, descent and landing. The mass of each penetrator is 1.5 kg, and the penetration depth is 0.5 to 2.0 m (courtesy of JPL). |
 | Artist’s rendering of two optical interferometer systems, each consisting of three spacecraft constellation, for a candidate Deep Space-3 (DS-3) mission. The two collector spacecraft are 100m - 1 km apart (1 mas to 100 mas). The center spacecraft combines the light from the two collectors in order to detect fringes and perform the science measurements (courtesy of JPL). |
 | Artist’s rendition of an Earth observation nanosat (courtesy of The Aerospace Corp.). |
Future 
