Key Takeaways
- NASA’s DiskSat technology demonstration mission aims to test the performance of a new small spacecraft platform designed to expand the capabilities of current small spacecraft.
- The DiskSat design is a flat, disk-shaped architecture that offers advantages over the conventional CubeSat design, enabling lower-cost space missions and broader scientific opportunities.
- The demonstration will evaluate the performance of the DiskSat spacecraft and a specialized dispenser mechanism, and will test the spacecraft’s ability to perform maneuvers in low Earth orbit.
- The DiskSat technology has the potential to significantly expand the scope of future small spacecraft missions for NASA, the commercial space industry, and academia.
- The mission is funded by NASA’s Small Spacecraft & Distributed Systems program, the U.S. Space Force’s Rocket Systems Launch Program, and the Department of War Space Test Program.
Introduction to DiskSat
NASA’s DiskSat technology demonstration mission is a significant step forward in the development of small spacecraft technology. The mission aims to 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. The DiskSat spacecraft is a circular, flat spacecraft that is 40 inches in diameter and one inch thick, similar to a small coffee table. Each spacecraft has an electric propulsion system that allows for orbit changes and maintenance, making it an ideal platform for a variety of space missions.
Launch and Deployment
The DiskSat spacecraft was launched aboard a Rocket Lab Electron rocket from the company’s Launch Complex 2 on Wallops Island, Virginia, at 12:03 a.m. EST on Thursday, Dec. 18. The launch was a significant milestone in the mission, and marked the beginning of the demonstration phase. The dispenser mechanism, which is engineered to securely contain four DiskSat spacecraft during launch, will sequentially deploy the spacecraft into low Earth orbit, where they will perform maneuvers. The deployment of the DiskSat spacecraft will be a critical test of the technology, and will demonstrate the ability of the spacecraft to operate in low Earth orbit.
Design and Development
The DiskSat concept and spacecraft were designed and developed by The Aerospace Corporation, headquartered in Chantilly, Virginia. NASA’s Small Spacecraft & Distributed Systems program, which is based at NASA’s Ames Research Center in California’s Silicon Valley, funded the development of the DiskSat technology and demonstration mission. The program is focused on developing new technologies and capabilities for small spacecraft, and the DiskSat mission is a key part of this effort. The DiskSat design is conducive to operations in very low Earth orbit, which can offer sharper Earth imaging and sensing capabilities as well as lower latency communications solutions. This makes the DiskSat platform an attractive option for a variety of space missions, including Earth observation, communications, and scientific research.
Mission Objectives and Funding
The DiskSat demonstration mission has several key objectives, including evaluating the performance of the DiskSat spacecraft and the specialized dispenser mechanism. The mission will also test the ability of the spacecraft to perform maneuvers in low Earth orbit, and will demonstrate the potential of the DiskSat platform for future space missions. The mission is funded by a combination of government agencies and private companies, including NASA’s Small Spacecraft & Distributed Systems program, the U.S. Space Force’s Rocket Systems Launch Program, and the Department of War Space Test Program. Rocket Lab USA, Inc., of Long Beach, California, is providing launch services for the mission, and NASA’s Wallops Flight Facility is providing tracking, telemetry, and range safety services to ensure a safe and successful mission.
Conclusion and Future Plans
The DiskSat technology demonstration mission is an important step forward in the development of small spacecraft technology, and has the potential to significantly expand the scope of future small spacecraft missions. The mission’s success will depend on the ability of the DiskSat spacecraft to perform maneuvers in low Earth orbit, and to demonstrate the advantages of the flat, disk-shaped architecture. If successful, the DiskSat platform could enable lower-cost space missions, broaden scientific opportunities, and increase overall access to space. The mission is also an important part of NASA’s 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. As the mission progresses, NASA and its partners will be closely monitoring the performance of the DiskSat spacecraft, and will be evaluating the potential of the platform for future space missions.
