| Name | MEMS (Picosat) |
|---|---|
| Form factor | Picosatellite |
| Units or mass | 0.275 kg |
| Entity name | DARPA |
| Institution | Military |
| Entity type | Government (Civil / Military) |
| Headquarters | US |
| Manufacturer | AIVT by Aerospace Corporation |
| Operator | Aerospace Corp |
| Oneliner |
Demonstrate the basic functional elements of a low-power LEO “swarm” or formation PICOSAT array. |
| Description |
To demonstrate the basic functional elements of a low-power LEO “swarm” or formation PICOSAT array. To communicate from space using node-type radios and to report the results of MEMS-switched tests. Validate MEMS radio frequency switches. The two orbiting picosats are to be tethered because they will communicate via micropower radios. The tether will keep them within range of each other for crosslink purposes. |
| Sources | [1] [2] [3] [4] [5] |
| Photo sources | [1] [2] [3] [4] [5] |
| Keywords | Tether |
Related Spacecraft
| Spacecraft | Status | Launcher | Launch date | Orbit |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| MEMS 1A (Pico 21, PICOSAT-1, OPAL PICOSATS) | Was operational until 2000-02-09, 2.5 days after being deployed from OPAL on 2000-02-06. | Minotaur I | 2000-01-27 | 750 x 800 km, 100.2 deg |
| MEMS 1B (Pico 23, Picosat 1, OPAL PICOSATS) | Was operational until 2000-02-09, 2.5 days after being deployed from OPAL on 2000-02-06. | Minotaur I | 2000-01-27 | 750 x 800 km, 100.2 deg |
| MEMS 2A (Pico 20, PICOSAT 7, OPAL, MIGHTYSAT II.1 PICOSATS) | Reentry 2002-07-11. Was operational until 2001-09-30, 1 day. Deployment 13 months after launch (eoPortal has typo). Initial beacons received. | Minotaur I | 2000-07-19 | 750 x 800 km, 100.2 deg |
| MEMS 2B (Pico 22, PICOSAT 8, OPAL, MIGHTYSAT II.1 PICOSATS) | Reentry 2002-07-11. Was operational until 2001-09-30, 1 day. Deployment 13 months after launch (eoPortal has typo). Initial beacons received. | Minotaur I | 2000-07-19 | 750 x 800 km, 100.2 deg |
Last modified: 2024-09-06
