Argentina´s first technological demonstration satellite, designated by the CONAE as Satélite de Aplicaciones Científicas SAC-A, was placed in orbit by the Space Shuttle flight STS-88 on 14 December, 1998. INVAP was the prime contractor for supplying the spacecraft and two of the payloads.

SAC-A spacecraft is a fast turn-around (eight months) low cost small satellite conceived for testing new space science and technology for the Argentine space program. The primary objective is to place and test in orbit various Argentine technologies that will provide useful information in real world applications, and to be used for SAC-C Earth Observation mission scheduled for launch abord a DELTA II during 2000. In adition, the design, development, testing and operations of SAC-A will enable Argentine aerospace engineers to acquire further experience in spacecraft design and operations. 

SAC-A was successfully deployed by the crew of Shuttle Mission STS-88 who reviewed SAC-A flight model and its interfaces at INVAP´s Villa Golf facilities during a Familiarization meeting in 1997. STS-88 Mission carried Unity, the first American module to the International Space Station and was delayed in several ocations until its launch late 1998.

INVAP and CONAE integrated teams performed the early orbits operations at CONAE Groundstation in Cordoba, Argentina. Sequential start-up of all functions proceeded as expected and data planning and download was verified. The spacecraft performed 100% according to design and all payload were successfully tested during the missions lifetime. Given its injection at an altitude of 200 nautical miles (typical for a Shuttle Mission) and the state of solar flux, the mission duration was eight months, which allowed to complete all planned experiments.

Further mission information and a gallery of images taken by the SAC-A CCD Camera can be found at CONAE SAC-A mission web page.