MSTI Satellite Series

The Miniature Sensor Technology Integration (MSTI) series consisted of three low-cost, fast-turnaround technology demonstration satellites that supported theater missile launch detection and tracking. In a cooperative effort with the Jet Propulsion Laboratory and the USAF Research Laboratory, General Dynamics was the spacecraft developer and manufacturer for all three MSTI missions, and we supported payload I&T, launch vehicle integration, and on-orbit operations.

The structural concepts used on the MSTI spacecraft, adapted from our DARPA-sponsored Advanced Satellite Subsystem Technology Demonstration (ASSTD) project, marked the beginning of the multi-mission modular bus with external bolt-on components that have become a hallmark of our spacecraft designs ever since. The MSTI-1 bus, subsequently catalogued as our SA-200S, was the first to provide open architecture VME electronics in a space application, providing considerable cost and schedule savings over the traditional "custom architecture". This resulted in a modular, easily accessible, low-risk satellite configuration concept, enabling very rapid design, production, test and launch.

The three satellites were launched in November 1992, May 1994, and May 1996 respectively.