# PSSC-2

> miniaturized satellite operated by the United States Air Force

**Wikidata**: [Q7120763](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q7120763)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/PSSC-2)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/pssc-2

## Summary
PSSC-2 is a miniaturized satellite operated by the United States Air Force that was launched aboard the Space Shuttle Atlantis on July 8, 2011, as part of the STS-135 mission. It served as a technology demonstration spacecraft to test solar cell technologies and re-entered Earth's atmosphere on December 8, 2011.

## Key Facts
- Operated by the United States Air Force
- Launched on July 8, 2011, aboard Space Shuttle Atlantis (STS-135)
- Mass: 3.7 kg at launch
- Manufacturer: The Aerospace Corporation
- COSPAR ID: 2011-031B
- Powered by a spacecraft solar array
- Classified as a technology demonstration spacecraft and small satellite (under 1,200 kg)
- Followed PSSC-1 in the series
- Country of origin: United States
- Re-entered Earth's atmosphere and decayed on December 8, 2011

### Q: What was PSSC-2?
A: PSSC-2 was a miniaturized satellite operated by the United States Air Force that served as a technology demonstration spacecraft to test solar cell technologies.

### Q: When was PSSC-2 launched?
A: PSSC-2 was launched on July 8, 2011, aboard the Space Shuttle Atlantis during the STS-135 mission.

### Q: What was its primary purpose?
A: The primary purpose of PSSC-2 was to demonstrate experimental solar cell technologies as part of a technology demonstration mission.

### Q: What was its mass?
A: PSSC-2 had a launch weight of 3.7 kilograms.

## Why It Matters
PSSC-2 represents an important advancement in small satellite technology and space technology demonstration. As a technology demonstration spacecraft, it played a crucial role in testing and validating new solar cell technologies in orbit. The satellite's compact design and specialized mission allowed for cost-effective testing of experimental technologies that could be applied to future space missions. By demonstrating the feasibility of solar cell technologies in a space environment, PSSC-2 contributed to the development of more efficient power systems for small satellites and potentially larger spacecraft. Its successful operation provided valuable data that informed the design of subsequent satellite systems and helped advance the capabilities of space-based technology.

## Notable For
- First in the PSSC series to specifically test solar cell technologies
- Demonstrated the use of spacecraft solar arrays as primary power sources
- Successfully operated as a technology demonstration spacecraft
- Successfully completed its mission and re-entered Earth's atmosphere as planned
- Represented a cost-effective approach to testing experimental technologies in space

## Body
### Technical Specifications
PSSC-2 was designed as a small satellite with a launch weight of 3.7 kilograms, making it classified as a small satellite under the 1,200 kg threshold. The spacecraft was manufactured by The Aerospace Corporation, a leading organization in aerospace technology development. It was powered by a spacecraft solar array, which provided the necessary electrical power for its operations in orbit.

### Mission Profile
The PSSC-2 mission was launched on July 8, 2011, from Kennedy Space Center Launch Complex 39A as part of the STS-135 mission aboard the Space Shuttle Atlantis. This was the final mission of the Space Shuttle program, marking a significant milestone in space exploration history. The satellite's deployment occurred during this historic mission, highlighting its role in the concluding phase of the shuttle program.

### Operational Timeline
PSSC-2 was successfully deployed from the Space Shuttle and entered orbit on July 8, 2011. The satellite operated in space for approximately five months before its orbital decay. It re-entered Earth's atmosphere and decayed on December 8, 2011, completing its mission as planned. The spacecraft's trajectory and orbital parameters were monitored throughout its operational period.

### Technology Demonstration
As a technology demonstration spacecraft, PSSC-2 focused specifically on testing solar cell technologies. The satellite's design incorporated advanced photovoltaic cells that were evaluated under real orbital conditions. The data collected during its operation provided valuable insights into the performance of these technologies in space environments, contributing to the development of more efficient power systems for future space missions.

### Legacy and Impact
Although PSSC-2 was a relatively small satellite, its mission had significant implications for the field of space technology. The successful demonstration of solar cell technologies in orbit helped advance the capabilities of small satellites and provided valuable data that informed the design of subsequent spacecraft. The mission also demonstrated the effectiveness of technology demonstration spacecraft as a cost-effective approach to testing experimental technologies before full-scale implementation.

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## References

1. [Source](https://space.skyrocket.de/doc_sdat/pssct-2.htm)
2. Jonathan's Space Report
3. [Source](https://nssdc.gsfc.nasa.gov/nmc/spacecraft/displayTrajectory.action?id=2011-031B)