Space Technology 5 - technology validation update

The Space Technology 5 (ST5) Project, part of NASA´s New Millennium Program, consists of a constellation of three micro-satellites. The validation objectives are to demonstrate the research-quality science capability of the ST5 spacecraft; to operate the three spacecraft as a constellation; and to design, develop, test and flight-validate three capable micro-satellites with new technologies. The project team has made significant progress in the past year in building and testing the ground system and flight hardware. Through component-level testing and spacecraft integration and test, many components have been demonstrated on the ground to begin achieving the validation objectives. We are on target for our February 28, 2006 launch date. A three-month flight demonstration phase is planned, during which we complete the flight validation objectives. This paper describes the validation strategy for science capability, constellation operations, and spacecraft and component technologies, as well as progress made to date