The U.S. Air Force‘s third space experimentation squadron decommissioned the Automated Navigation and Guidance Experiment for Local Space satellite Nov. 20 at Schriever Air Force Base in Colorado.ANGELS tested orbital mechanics of space-based technology platforms, as well as automated spacecraft operations, space situational awareness and rendezvous and proximity methods, the Air Force said Nov. 21.
The Air Force Research Laboratory’s Space Vehicles Directorate managed the experimental satellite after its July 2014 launch through July 2016, when 3rd SES assumed control authority of the satellite.
“We had ANGELS fly a threat replication trajectory for an asset at geosynchronous orbit,” said Capt. Matthew Cork, flight commander for ANGELS.
“This is done to know how to defend against an on-orbit aggressor,†Cork added.
The satellite underwent its final command ceremony following the completion of the experiment and full expenditure of allotted resources needed to further the satellite’s lifespan.
