# OAST Flyer

> American technology satellite flown during STS-72

**Wikidata**: [Q21406044](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q21406044)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/oast-flyer

## Summary
The OAST Flyer was an American technology demonstration satellite launched during NASA's STS-72 Space Shuttle mission in 1996. Operated by the Goddard Space Flight Center, it was part of the SPARTAN series of free-flying space platforms designed to test experimental technologies in orbit.

## Key Facts
- **Launch Date**: January 11, 1996, at 09:41:00 UTC aboard Space Shuttle *Endeavour* (STS-72).
- **Operator/Manufacturer**: Goddard Space Flight Center (NASA’s first space flight center, established in 1959).
- **Classification**: Technology demonstration spacecraft, part of the SPARTAN series of free-flying platforms.
- **Aliases**: Also known as *Office of Aeronautical and Space Technology Flyer*, *SPARTAN 206*, or *SPTN-206*.
- **Identifiers**:
  - COSPAR ID: `1996-001B`
  - NSSDCA ID: `1996-001B`
  - Satellite Catalog Number (SCN): `23763`
- **Launch Site**: Kennedy Space Center Launch Complex 39B.
- **Country of Origin**: United States.

## FAQs
### Q: What does "OAST Flyer" stand for?
A: OAST stands for *Office of Aeronautical and Space Technology*, a NASA program. The "Flyer" refers to its role as a free-flying experimental satellite.

### Q: What was the purpose of the OAST Flyer?
A: It was a technology demonstration spacecraft designed to test new systems and instruments in space as part of NASA’s SPARTAN program.

### Q: How was the OAST Flyer launched?
A: It was deployed from the Space Shuttle *Endeavour* during the STS-72 mission on January 11, 1996.

### Q: Who operated the OAST Flyer?
A: The Goddard Space Flight Center, NASA’s premier space research laboratory, operated and manufactured the satellite.

### Q: Is the OAST Flyer still in orbit?
A: The source material does not specify its current status, but SPARTAN missions typically involved short-duration free flights before retrieval or deorbit.

## Why It Matters
The OAST Flyer played a role in advancing space technology by serving as a testbed for experimental systems in microgravity. As part of NASA’s SPARTAN program, it contributed to the development of reusable, free-flying platforms that could be deployed and retrieved by the Space Shuttle. This approach reduced costs and risks compared to dedicated satellite launches, enabling more frequent testing of new technologies. The mission also demonstrated NASA’s ability to conduct complex operations in low Earth orbit, supporting future scientific and engineering endeavors. By validating technologies in space, the OAST Flyer helped bridge the gap between ground-based research and operational space missions.

## Notable For
- **Firsts/Records**: One of the SPARTAN series missions, which were among the first reusable free-flying platforms deployed by the Space Shuttle.
- **Technological Role**: Demonstrated experimental technologies in orbit, a critical step for validating space hardware.
- **NASA Collaboration**: Operated by the Goddard Space Flight Center, showcasing NASA’s integrated approach to space research.
- **Short-Duration Mission**: Designed for brief, targeted experiments during Shuttle flights, emphasizing efficiency.
- **Part of STS-72**: Contributed to the broader objectives of the Space Shuttle program, including satellite deployment and retrieval.

## Body
### Overview
The OAST Flyer (SPARTAN 206) was a technology demonstration satellite launched as part of NASA’s STS-72 mission. It belonged to the SPARTAN (*Shuttle Pointed Autonomous Research Tool for Astronomy*) series, a collection of free-flying platforms carried by the Space Shuttle for short-duration experiments.

### Mission Details
- **Launch**: January 11, 1996, from Kennedy Space Center Launch Complex 39B.
- **Launch Vehicle**: Space Shuttle *Endeavour* (STS-72).
- **Duration**: SPARTAN missions typically lasted a few days, with the platform either retrieved by the Shuttle or left to deorbit.
- **Objective**: To test and validate new technologies in the space environment.

### Technical Specifications
- **Operator/Manufacturer**: Goddard Space Flight Center (Greenbelt, Maryland, USA).
- **Identifiers**:
  - COSPAR ID: `1996-001B`
  - NSSDCA ID: `1996-001B`
  - Satellite Catalog Number: `23763`
- **Classification**: Technology demonstration spacecraft.

### Context Within NASA Programs
- **SPARTAN Program**: The OAST Flyer was part of a series of low-cost, reusable platforms designed to carry scientific instruments and technology experiments into space.
- **Goddard Space Flight Center**: As NASA’s first space flight center (founded 1959), Goddard played a key role in developing and operating the OAST Flyer.
- **Space Shuttle Era**: The mission exemplified the Shuttle’s role in deploying, servicing, and retrieving satellites, a capability unique to the program.

### Legacy
While the OAST Flyer itself was a short-lived mission, its contributions to technology validation helped inform future NASA projects. The SPARTAN program demonstrated the feasibility of reusable, Shuttle-deployed platforms, influencing later approaches to space experimentation.

## Schema Markup
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  "@type": "Thing",
  "name": "OAST Flyer",
  "description": "American technology satellite flown during STS-72 as part of NASA's SPARTAN program.",
  "sameAs": [
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    "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/STS-72"
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  "additionalType": "Spacecraft"
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## References

1. [Source](https://space.skyrocket.de/doc_sdat/spartan-206.htm)
2. Jonathan's Space Report