A quartet of small satellites, better known as CubeSats, flew high above California’s Mojave Desert on June 15, 2013 on a demonstration mission to study the launch environment all the way from liftoff to landing.
The spacecraft are being developed to help simplify and lower the cost of small-satellite missions that could fly on smaller, dedicated rockets. Although the rocket’s parachute deployed prematurely and the vehicle tumbled to a hard landing, the flight is considered a success and a valuable learning opportunity. Teams now are retrieving their data and gearing up for another flight in the coming months.
Watch CubeSat Demo Flight Tests Technologies
Among the CubeSats was StangSat built by students from Merritt Island High School (MIHS). This pre-launch video briefly describes the CubeSats to be launched as well as the new light-weight CubeSat Deployer. There is also an interview with Roland Coelho WH7BE.
Watch CubeSats and Launcher to Test Satellite Innovations
Small Satellites Soar in High-Altitude Demonstration http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2013/06/130618172614.htm
Merritt Island High School Students Build CubeSat http://amsat-uk.org/2013/04/11/merritt-island-high-students-cubesat/
MIHS CubeSat on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/pages/MIHS-CubeSat/110920062311996
