AeroCube-10 @ Nanosats Database

Name	AeroCube-10
Type	CubeSat
Units or mass	1.5U
Organisation	The Aerospace Corporation
Institution	Non-profit
Entity	Academic / Education
Nation	US
Launch brokerer	Nanoracks
Oneliner	Demonstrate satellite-to-satellite pointing and deployment of small atmospheric probes.
Description	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.
Results	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.
Sources	[1] [2] [3] [4] [5]
Photo Sources	[1] [2] [3] [4] [5]
Keywords	Propulsion, Formation flying
Space photos	Link

Related Spacecraft

Name	Status	Launch	Orbit
AeroCube-10A (JimSat)	Operational	2019-04-17	475 km, 51.6 deg, Cygnus
AeroCube-10B (DougSat)	Operational	2019-04-17	475 km, 51.6 deg, Cygnus