A successful launch of NASA’s CubeSat PY4 space swarm aboard the Transporter-10 shared transport mission of SpaceX, the U.S. space agency that validates cost-effective and sustainable space technology.
Successful launch of spacecraft swarms
The PY4 mission, led by Carnegie Mellon University University and funded by the Small Spacecraft Technology program, marks a milestone in space exploration by demonstrating innovative capabilities in low-Earth orbit.
This mission demonstrates the feasibility of PY4 CubeSat technology in key areas of science, such as orbital navigation and coordinated radiation measurement at multiple points, under a reduced structure, remarkable in size, weight, power and cost.
CubeSat PY4 design
In the matrix of the small ones we can find a PyCubed platform, an open source system presented as a navigation solution, based on Python, which integrates several functionalities on a single board, using accessible and inexpensive electronic components from the market.
Once in orbit, the PY4 spacecraft will perform periodic measurements of their relative distances, allowing ground controllers to determine the swarm configuration and assess the capabilities of the technology under real-world conditions.
The idea of using spacecraft swarms has gained traction in recent years, with proposals for missions ranging from Earth surveillance to exploration of asteroids and distant and distant star systems.
NASA’s expectations with space swarms
For example, a proposed swarm mission to the asteroid Apophis by taking advantage of the proximity of the space rock, which is approaching Earth in 2029, to conduct detailed studies without significant risk.
In 2021, NASA proposed a swarm of weather satellites with “hive mind” capabilities to increase scientific understanding of weather and climate change. In addition, other organizations have proposed missions, such as sending a swarm of laser-powered spacecraft to Proxima Centauri, our nearest neighboring star system.
NASA has launched the Starling mission in 2023, aimed at testing autonomous navigation systems for spacecraft swarms, which could open up new opportunities for future exploration.
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Source and photo: NASA
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