DS-1

DS-1 is a communications satellite that was launched by NASA in 1998. It was the first spacecraft to use ion propulsion for propulsion, and it was also the first to use autonomous navigation in deep space. The mission of DS-1 was to test a variety of technologies that had never been used in space before.

History

DS-1 was launched on October 24, 1998, from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida. The spacecraft was part of NASA's New Millennium Program, which was designed to test new technologies in space. The mission was managed by the Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) in Pasadena, California.

Technologies Tested

DS-1 tested a variety of new technologies, including:

• Ion propulsion: This was the first time that ion propulsion was used for propulsion in space. The ion engine on DS-1 used xenon as a propellant.

• Autonomous navigation: DS-1 was the first spacecraft to use autonomous navigation in deep space. This technology allowed the spacecraft to determine its own location and navigate without the need for constant instructions from Earth.

• Advanced solar arrays: DS-1 was equipped with advanced solar arrays that were more efficient and lighter than traditional solar panels.

• Low-power electronics: The spacecraft was equipped with low-power electronics that were designed to operate in the harsh environment of space.

Mission

The primary mission of DS-1 was to test the new technologies that it was equipped with. However, the spacecraft also conducted scientific observations of two asteroids, 9969 Braille and 5535 Annefrank, and the comet 19P/Borrelly.

Legacy

The technologies tested on DS-1 have been used on a number of subsequent space missions, including the Dawn mission to Vesta and Ceres, and the Hayabusa2 mission to asteroid Ryugu.

DS-1 Resources
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