# TEX

> The US Military's STACKSAT mission involved the launch of three similar spacecraft (POGS, TEX, and SCE) on the same booster.

**Wikidata**: [Q113275650](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q113275650)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/tex-q113275650

## Summary
TEX was a spacecraft launched as part of the US Military's STACKSAT mission on April 11, 1990. It was one of three similar spacecraft (along with POGS and SCE) launched together on the same booster. TEX was designed to operate in space as part of a military satellite program.

## Key Facts
- Launch date: April 11, 1990
- Launch vehicle: SM-65E Atlas
- Launch site: Vandenberg Space Launch Complex 2 East
- Mission: STACKSAT (US Military)
- Spacecraft designation: 20561
- COSPAR ID: 1990-031B
- NSSDCA ID: 1990-031B
- Also known as: STACKSAT, USA 57, P87-2
- Instance of: spacecraft

## FAQs
### Q: What was TEX's mission?
A: TEX was part of the STACKSAT mission, a US Military satellite program that launched three similar spacecraft together on a single booster. The mission involved TEX, POGS, and SCE operating as a coordinated group in space.

### Q: When and how was TEX launched?
A: TEX was launched on April 11, 1990, from Vandenberg Space Launch Complex 2 East using an SM-65E Atlas launch vehicle. It was launched together with two other spacecraft as part of the STACKSAT mission.

### Q: What type of spacecraft was TEX?
A: TEX was a spacecraft, which is a vehicle or machine designed to fly in space. It was one of three similar spacecraft launched together on the STACKSAT mission.

## Why It Matters
TEX represents an important example of military satellite technology and launch optimization from the late Cold War era. As part of the STACKSAT mission, it demonstrated the military's ability to launch multiple similar spacecraft together on a single booster, which is more cost-effective than individual launches. This approach allowed the US Military to deploy a small constellation of satellites for coordinated operations. The use of the SM-65E Atlas launch vehicle, a variant of the Atlas missile, also shows the continued military application of missile technology for space launch purposes. TEX's mission contributes to our understanding of how military space operations were conducted in the early 1990s and how satellite technology was being deployed for national security purposes.

## Notable For
- Being part of the STACKSAT mission, which launched three similar spacecraft together
- Using the SM-65E Atlas launch vehicle, a military missile variant adapted for space launch
- Operating as one of three coordinated spacecraft in a military satellite constellation
- Having multiple designations (20561, USA 57, P87-2) reflecting its military nature
- Launching from Vandenberg Air Force Base, a key military space launch facility

## Body
### Mission Overview
TEX was launched as part of the STACKSAT mission, a US Military satellite program that deployed three similar spacecraft together. This approach to launching multiple satellites on a single booster was a cost-effective strategy for deploying small satellite constellations.

### Technical Specifications
The spacecraft was assigned the designation 20561 and carried the COSPAR ID 1990-031B. It was also known by the designations USA 57 and P87-2, with the latter suggesting it may have been in development since at least 1987.

### Launch Details
TEX launched on April 11, 1990, from Vandenberg Space Launch Complex 2 East in California. The launch vehicle was an SM-65E Atlas, which is a variant of the Atlas missile that had been adapted for space launch purposes.

### Operational Context
As one of three similar spacecraft launched together, TEX likely operated as part of a coordinated group with POGS and SCE. This type of multi-spacecraft deployment allows for distributed sensing, redundancy, or other mission capabilities that benefit from having multiple platforms in similar orbits.

### Classification
TEX is classified as a spacecraft, which is defined as a vehicle or machine designed to fly in space. This classification places it in the broader category of artificial satellites and space vehicles used for various purposes including military, scientific, and commercial applications.

## References

1. Jonathan's Space Report