ARGOS (Advanced Research & Global Observation Satellite) is a testbed and
demonstration program for advanced remote sensing technologies for the US Air Force's
Space Test Program (STP). ARGOS's primary objective is to fly and operate advanced
payloads that include two technology demonstrations and seven experiment payloads for
global and celestial observation. ARGOS also has a goal of three years of on orbit
operations to demonstrate and collect science data for the Earth's global environment
and top priority military space programs.
These nine primary payloads contain over 30 sub-experiment objectives, one of which
prototypes sensor technology with applications for the International Space Station and
Cassini (mission to Saturn). On board ARGOS are high temperature superconductivity
experiments that provide important demonstrations for one of the nation's top 10
critical technologies. ARGOS also provides a unique opportunity to fly three high-priority
ultraviolet (UV) imaging experiments and an X-ray sensor on the same platform. Working
simultaneously, results from these four experiments will be correlated to create a three
dimensional picture of weather in the ionosphere. The remaining experiments investigate
electric propulsion, gas ionization physics, plume detection capabilities, and orbital
debris analysis of a highly populated low earth orbit.
Following experiments are mounted on the spacecraft:
- High Temperature Super Conducting Experiment II (HTSSE)
- Extreme Ultraviolet Imaging Photometer (EUVIP)
- Unconventional Stellar Aspect (USA)
- Electric Propulsion Space Experiment (ESEX)
- Space Dust (SPADUS)
- Critical Ionization Velocity (CIV)
- High Resolution Airglow / Aurora Spectroscopy (HIRAAS)
- Global Imaging Monitor of the Ionosphere (GIMI)
- Coherent Radio Topography Experiment (CERTO)
