The third and final ComSat to orbit Minmus was successfully launched into LKO, where it transferred without issue to Minmus and detached from its transfer stage in orbit around the moon, leaving it to drift until we re-activate it for use as an impactor. In order to slot the satellite into position between the two existing ones, an aggressive maneuver was plotted to send the craft whipping past Minmus as low as 15km, after which it would rise up to complete the constellation of communication satellites.
Tag Archive: ComSat Minmus III
Apr 08 2015
ComSat Minmus III Launch Highlights
Various camera views of the lift off and initial ascent only for the third communications satellite bound for orbit around Minmus