Mitex

American military anti-satellite system. 3 launched, 2006.06.21 (USA 187) to (USA 189). Technology satellite built by Orbital Sciences Corp. (OSC) for DARPA, USA. Launched 2006. Used the Aquila-Bus bus.

The Microsatellite Technology Experiment was a classified mission, believed to be a test of prototype inspect-and-disable satellites that would control the constellation of geostationary satellites on which the world depends for television reception and communications.

Each microsatellite, one built by Orbital Sciences, and the other by Lockheed Martin, had a mass of about 250 kg. They were believed to be solar-powered and equipped with propulsion systems that would allow them to rendezvous with geosynchronous satellites. Once they had reached the satellite, they would presumably be capable of destroying, disabling, or jamming them.

This was a long-suspected or -expected capability, since geosynchronous satellites had proven vital in modern netcentric warfare in providing high-bandwidth communications with forces on the ground. Such satellites could either jam or interfere with such communications in more sophisticated ways. They also could interfere with communications satellites broadcasting information contrary to American interests; disable missile early warning or weather satellites of the enemy; or inspect and determine the real nature of enemy satellites which may also have a wartime search-and-destroy role (there had been Russian launches in this suspect category).

To deliver the two satellites to near-synchronous orbit, a Naval Research Laboratory liquid propellant bus equipped with a 400 N main engine and solar panels was used. This suggested that this was a satellite dispenser that could deliver two such inspector satellites to near their targets at geosynchronous orbit, or larger numbers in lower orbits (such as MEO navigation or communication satellite constellations). In an operational scenario the satellites perhaps would remain docked to the bus in orbits in the same planes as enemy constellations of interest, only to be released in the event of war.