Object Details
- Manufacturer
- LTV Corporation
- Summary
- The U.S. Air Force began developing this air-launched antisatellite missile (ASAT) to destroy enemy satellites after the USSR demonstrated its ability to attack satellites in space. At the tip of this two-stage missile was a Miniature Homing Vehicle (MHV). Once it separated from the missile, the MHV homed in and destroyed a satellite by direct collision, rather than by detonation of a warhead - a concept known as "hit-to-kill." The ASAT's maximum intercept altitude was at least 560 kilometers (350 miles). Five ASATs were flight tested, with the one launched from an F-15 fighter in September 1985 successfully intercepting and destroying an orbiting NASA satellite. The Air Force cancelled the ASAT program in the late 1980s. LTV made this unflown ASAT, and the U.S. Air Force transferred it to NASM in 1990.
- Alternate Name
- Antisatellite Missile
- Credit Line
- Transferred from the United States Air Force.
- Inventory Number
- A19900064000
- Restrictions & Rights
- Usage conditions apply
- Type
- CRAFT-Missiles & Rockets
- Materials
- Various metals and composites
- Dimensions
- Other: 17 ft. 9 in. long x 2 ft. 8 in. diameter, 2700 lb. (541.1 x 81.28cm, 1224.7kg)
- Country of Origin
- United States of America
- See more items in
- National Air and Space Museum Collection
- Location
- Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center in Chantilly, VA
- Exhibit Station
- Rockets & Missiles
- National Air and Space Museum
- Record ID
- nasm_A19900064000
- GUID (Link to Original Record)
- http://n2t.net/ark:/65665/nv93c4bf6e9-072d-428c-bfd7-dc509c7b86bf
