NASA\u2019s DiskSat technology demonstration mission will test the performance of a new small spacecraft platform designed to expand the capabilities of current small spacecraft. By demonstrating the advantages of a flat, disk-shaped architecture over the conventional CubeSat design, DiskSat aims to enable lower-cost space missions, broaden scientific opportunities, and increase overall access to space.<\/p>\n
At 12:03 a.m. EST on Thursday, Dec. 18, DiskSat launched aboard a Rocket Lab Electron rocket from the company\u2019s Launch Complex 2 on Wallops Island, Virginia.<\/p>\n
The demonstration will evaluate the performance of the DiskSat<\/a> spacecraft themselves and a specialized dispenser mechanism. The dispenser is engineered to securely contain four DiskSat spacecraft during launch, then sequentially deploy them into low Earth orbit where they will perform maneuvers. Each DiskSat is a circular, flat spacecraft 40 inches (one meter) in diameter and one inch (two-and-a-half centimeters) thick \u2013 similar to a small coffee table. Each has an electric propulsion system to allow for orbit changes and maintenance. The DiskSat design is also conducive to operations in very low Earth orbit, which can offer sharper Earth imaging and sensing capabilities as well as lower latency communications solutions.<\/p>\n DiskSat boosts U.S. innovation and commercial space opportunities while providing mission designers new flexibility, enabling them to pursue and achieve NASA\u2019s goals\u00a0faster\u00a0and\u00a0more affordably. DiskSats offer an alternative platform that could significantly expand the scope of future small spacecraft missions for NASA, the commercial space industry, other government agencies, and academia. The DiskSat demonstration also supports NASA\u2019s long-term plans for sustained exploration at the Moon and Mars as well as advancing our ability to study and better understand our home planet.<\/p>\n The Aerospace Corporation, headquartered in Chantilly, Virginia, is leading the design and development of the DiskSat concept as well as the DiskSat spacecraft. NASA\u2019s Small Spacecraft & Distributed Systems program within the agency\u2019s Space Technology Mission Directorate<\/a> funded the development of the DiskSat technology and demonstration mission. The program is based at NASA\u2019s Ames Research Center in California\u2019s Silicon Valley. The DiskSat launch and in-orbit operations are funded by the U.S. Space Force\u2019s Rocket Systems Launch Program (RSLP) and Department of War Space Test Program (STP), respectively. Rocket Lab USA, Inc., of Long Beach, California is providing launch services. NASA\u2019s Wallops Flight Facility, the agency\u2019s only owned and operated launch range, enabled the mission providing services such as tracking, telemetry, and range safety to ensure a safe and successful mission.<\/p>\n