Compact Satellite Innovation
The Aerospace Corporation is spearheading a new era in satellite technology with its DiskSat initiative, a project focused on developing remarkably compact,
disk-shaped spacecraft. These innovative satellites, measuring a mere 2.5 centimeters in thickness and one meter in diameter, are designed for efficiency and versatility in orbit. The initial four DiskSats were successfully launched in December aboard a Rocket Lab Electron rocket for the U.S. Space Force. Following their launch, these spacecraft were meticulously deployed from a specialized dispenser into low-Earth orbit at an approximate altitude of 550 kilometers. The development of this custom dispenser system was a significant engineering feat, involving extensive testing and design efforts to ensure its reliability. Engineers expressed satisfaction with the dispenser's performance, noting that it functioned precisely as anticipated. This meticulous attention to detail in both the satellite design and deployment mechanism underscores the program's commitment to overcoming the inherent risks associated with novel space hardware. The primary objective of this initial mission is to thoroughly evaluate the performance characteristics of the DiskSat bus and to demonstrate its capability to generate and manage up to 100 watts of peak power, paving the way for more sophisticated applications in the future.
Strategic Industry Collaborations
Aerospace Corp. is actively fostering partnerships, licensing its DiskSat technology to a range of industry players. Among the first to secure commercial licensing agreements are Orbotic Systems, a startup specializing in space debris remediation, and Satylt, an edge computing firm. Catherine Venturini, the principal scientist for DiskSat at Aerospace, highlighted the broad appeal of this licensing model. She explained that it provides opportunities for commercial entities, international organizations, and government agencies to independently build their own DiskSats. Additionally, collaborators can work directly with Aerospace to enhance existing DiskSat capabilities or to push the boundaries of the technology further. Orbotic Systems, for instance, plans to deploy DiskSats in very low Earth orbit (VLEO) to gather crucial space weather data using their proprietary Wind Ion Neutral Density (WIND) sensor. Orbotic's CEO, Erik Long, has indicated a close working relationship with Aerospace for manufacturing and distribution, even offering DiskSat as a Service (DaaS) for those needing a platform or a ride for their payloads.
Advancing Autonomous Operations
Satylt is collaborating with Aerospace to explore the potential of DiskSats in advanced space operations. Their joint efforts are focused on applications such as autonomous navigation, real-time data processing directly in orbit, and coordinated operations among multiple spacecraft. These advancements aim to significantly enhance the capabilities of small satellites for both governmental and commercial missions. Rama Afullo, the founder and CEO of Satylt, emphasized that this partnership represents a crucial step towards achieving genuine autonomy in spaceflight. She believes that the DiskSat platform offers the necessary power and scalability to enable sophisticated, real-time computing directly in orbit. During the commissioning phase, officials involved with the DiskSat program have successfully demonstrated the satellites' ability to precisely orient themselves and execute orbital maneuvers. Once the commissioning process is complete, one DiskSat will be positioned in VLEO to prove its capability for sustained low-altitude flight, leveraging its low cross-sectional area to achieve altitudes potentially lower than what is feasible with conventional spacecraft designs.
