Alliant Techsystems (ATK) successfully launched TacSat-3 at 11:55 p.m. UTC on May 19 after it was delayed in order to remove off shore boaters from the exclusion area, ATK announced May 20.
    SRA International provided its spacecraft command language (SCL) software to provide autonomous control of critical flight operations.  ATK served as the prime contractor working with the U.S. Air Force Research Lab (AFRL) as the procuring agent for the satellite structure.
    “The TacSat‑3 mission is the second in a series of missions to prove that America can build satellites better, cheaper and faster than ever before. These new class of missions will revolutionize the satellite development marketplace and augment capabilities for our troops in the field,” said Brian Buckley, SRA program manager for the SCL system, in a statement.