Cracker-sized satellites launch into orbit

[bananas]

Source: Phys.org

After years of planning and several last-minute delays, about 100 Cornell-developed mini satellites demonstrating space flight at its simplest have launched into orbit and are now circling Earth.

With just a laptop, antenna and a few other basics, space flight enthusiasts can listen for signals sent by the cracker-sized "sprites" that launched April 18 aboard a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket as part of NASA's CRS-3 mission. Still inside their mothership craft, the sprites are scheduled to deploy on May 4 to become the smallest free-flying spacecraft.

The project is called KickSat and has been led by Zac Manchester '09, now a graduate student in aerospace engineering, since he was an undergraduate doing research with Mason Peck, associate professor of mechanical and aerospace engineering.

<snip>

The sprites are housed inside a CubeSat, which is a small satellite frequently used in space research. The CubeSat is aboard a capsule that separates from the shuttle, which continues to the International Space Station. The KickSat CubeSat is second in line to deploy. (Other research missions are aboard.)

<snip>

Read more: http://phys.org/news/2014-04-cracker-sized-satellites-orbit.html

[Bernardo de La Paz]

1. Space debris. Hopefully in a very low orbit or eccentric enough to burn up in atmosphere later. nt

[tabasco]

2. One of these could destroy the space station.

Stupid idea.

[olddad56]

3. alright, we were running out of places to pollute.

[blkmusclmachine]

8. +1

[awoke_in_2003]

4. Next launch-

a bowl of tomato soup

[villager]

5. Satellites the size of white rightwingers!?

[longship]

6. Apparently those concerned about debris...

Are misinformed.

I have heard a bit about these.

First, they are in low orbit. Second, they have no propulsion to keep their orbits from degrading. Third, they will fairly quickly plunge to earth. Fourth, they are designed that way.

So people can sleep soundly.

I think they are very cool.

[blkmusclmachine]

9. -1 (Yeah, that's MINUS 1)

[longship]

11. Well, that's the physics.

Those nano satellites do not last very long in low orbit where there are still traces of atmosphere. Otherwise, why would NASA let them be deployed?

[jtuck004]

13. Would you quit with the facts already? We don't want them and that's that.

I agree with you, good project. I was trying to think of what use, maybe getting a lot of readings over a hurricane that is moving, or a bunch targeting some land formation. It said they could transmit, but can they pick up data, or ?

But yeah. It's a lot cooler than me grinding up powder to make engines and shoot home made rockets when I was younger. On the other hand, that was a lot of fun

[lululu]

7. as to space debris in general

The area around the planet is now littered with it. I remember thinking early on that leaving garbage up there was amazingly stupid.

[underpants]

10. The size of Cliven Bundy?

[goldent]

12. If you want to listen to them, better be quick....

The Sprites are expected to reenter the atmosphere and burn up within a few days or weeks depending on atmospheric conditions. Their worst-case maximum orbital lifetime is estimated at 6 weeks.

http://space.skyrocket.de/doc_sdat/kicksat-1.htm

[longship]

15. But the pollution!!!!

Horrors!!! Did you see in the movie Gravity what space debris can do???? It'll tear you apart!!!!

Arrrghalbarghal!!!!
:satire:

Just kidding. I think these things are awesome. Even high school students are designing them! Fucking wonderful.

[wheniwasincongress]

14. So we won't be able to see them on earth

and insist we saw an alien craft?

[Gore1FL]

16. Interesting proof-of-concept

Assuming the test work, it will be interesting to see how they might be used. I would think this would allow for a lot of short-term low-orbit experiments for pennies on the dollar.

[surrealAmerican]

17. Are there plans to launch some ...

... cheese-sized satellites to meet up with them? If not this story is way too dry.

[daleo]

18. I hope the atmosphere isn't too soupy when they come down.