AeroCube-10 Spacecraft

Demonstrate satellite-to-satellite pointing and deployment of small atmospheric probes.

Steam propulsion system with 30 grams of water. Will release 29 atmospheric probes 16 grams each, which will unfold into three 9.8 cm discs orthogonal to each other. Second payload is an electron and proton spectrometer called the micro-Charged Particle Telescope (uCPT). It will measure radiation flux impinging on the satellite, in specific energy levels that are suspected to cause solar cell degradation. The third payload is a sensor that will confirm when the optical beacon is impinging
on the satellite.

With some technical panache, one of The Aerospace Corporation’s CubeSats maneuvered itself within 22 meters of its sibling CubeSat and snapped a series of photos while orbiting at 17,000 miles per hour.

This incredibly difficult technology demonstration, performed by a satellite the size of a tissue box, paves the way for future inspection or servicing missions. AeroCube-10 is by far the smallest spacecraft to have accomplished a rendezvous and proximity operation so close.

Jonathan McDowell is reporting only 5 passive subsats were deployed.

• Camera - SiOnyx XQE-0920

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