Midcourse Space Experiment

Midcourse Space Experiment
Midcourse Space Experiment
NamesMSX
OperatorBMDO
COSPAR ID1996-024A Edit this at Wikidata
SATCAT no.23851
WebsiteMSX home page
Mission duration8 months and 8 days
Spacecraft properties
Launch mass2,700 kg (6,000 lb)
Start of mission
Launch dateApril 24, 1996 (1996-04-24)
RocketDelta 7920-10
Launch siteVandenberg AFB SLC-2W
Orbital parameters
Reference systemGeocentric
Perigee altitude898 km (558 mi)
Apogee altitude903 km (561 mi)
Period100 minutes

The Midcourse Space Experiment (MSX) is a Ballistic Missile Defense Organization (BMDO) satellite experiment (unmanned space mission) to map bright infrared sources in space. MSX offered the first system demonstration of technology in space to identify and track ballistic missiles during their midcourse flight phase.[1]

  1. ^ Williams, Frank. "Space-Based Surveillance Operations Advanced Concept Technology Demonstration," Space Tactics Bulletin, Vol 6, Issue 4