Complex mission in space begins Published Dec. 3, 2010 By Ryne Roady Space Development and Test Directorate Kirtland Air Force Base, NM -- On Nov. 19, the Space and Missile Systems Center's Space Development and Test Directorate at Kirtland AFB successfully launched a Minotaur IV rocket carrying the Space Test Program S26 mission from the Kodiak Launch Complex in Kodiak, Alaska. At 6:24 p.m. the rocket, composed mostly of leftover Peacekeeper ballistic missile stages, lifted off on a 104-minute journey to deploy seven satellites into orbit. The STP-S26 mission was directed by the Department of Defense Space Test Program, managed by SMC/SD, which is chartered to provide access to space for experiments that advance the state of the art by demonstrating technologies that will enhance military operational capability. Since 1965, the Space Test Program has provided an invaluable service to the nation by flying science and technology payloads that are fundamental to the DoD's approach to space acquisition. On the S26 mission, a single rocket delivered seven satellites carrying 16 science and technology experiments from the Air Force, Army, Navy, NASA, and the National Science Foundation. The experiments are hosted on four small satellites in the 400-pound class and three cubesats in the 10-pound class. "This is the most complex mission we have had in the Space Test Program over the past 20 years," said Capt. Rachel Derbis, S26 Mission Manager. "It is our hope that this mission will prove out the capabilities needed for rapid access to space for small satellites and push forward the frontiers of science." In addition to managing the S26 mission development and the Minotaur IV rocket launch, SMC/SD is also providing command and control for STPSat-2, the primary satellite on the S26 mission. STPSat-2 represents the first launch of the Standard Interface Vehicle which is a significant enabler, designed to bring down long-term costs of flying science and technology missions.