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Space

NASA details CubeSats to launch aboard SLS

By Nick Lavars
February 03, 2016
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The satellites will be deployed following Orion separation from the upper stage
NASA
The satellites will be deployed following Orion separation from the upper stage
NASA
The Lunar Flashlight will examine the moon’s surface for ice deposits and identify locations where resources may be extracted
NASA

As its 2018 maiden flight edges closer, NASA has provided further details on what exactly the Space Launch System (SLS) will be carrying deep into space. The agency has today revealed 13 CubeSats in total will be loaded onto the most powerful rocket it has ever built, some of which will be deployed to inspect asteroids, while others will gather data on the Moon.

The SLS' first unmanned flight, named Exploration Mission-1, will fire NASA's Orion capsule into space, and with it a range of scientific instruments aimed at bringing us that little bit closer to Mars.

Last year, NASA revealed three satellites that it would be sending along for the ride. BioSentinel will carry yeast into space to observe the impact of deep space radiation on living organisms, NEA Scout will attempt a rendezvous with a small asteroid, while Lunar Flashlight will look for ice deposits and resources on our own Moon.

Now the agency has settled on a further four to help with its deep space scientific investigations. Developed by Lockheed Martin, Skyfire will carry out a flyby of the Moon, acquiring sensor data to improve our understanding of the lunar surface. Morehead State University's Lunar IceCube will also be getting up close and personal with the Moon, orbiting at 62 mi (100 km) to hunt for water ice and other resources.

The Lunar Flashlight will examine the moon’s surface for ice deposits and identify locations where resources may be extracted
NASA

The LunaH-Map satellite will attempt to shine a light in the Moon's darker corners, examining craters and other shadowy regions around the south pole to map hydrogen. Meanwhile, CuSP will serve as a weather station, measuring particles and magnetic fields in space, exploring the possibility of using a network of stations to monitor space weather.

So that leaves six empty seats. NASA says three additional payloads will be selected through its Cube Quest Challenge, a four-round CubeSat building competition to be concluded in 2017, while three spots are reserved for international partners.

The satellites will be deployed following Orion separation from the upper stage, once the spacecraft is a safe distance away.

Source: NASA

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SpaceSatelliteNASAOrion SpacecraftSpace Launch System
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Nick Lavars
Nick has been writing and editing at New Atlas for over six years, where he has covered everything from distant space probes to self-driving cars to oddball animal science. He previously spent time at The Conversation, Mashable and The Santiago Times, earning a Masters degree in communications from Melbourne’s RMIT University along the way.
2 comments
bobcat4424
This could well be the most dangerous rocket ever produced. The two solid boosters, once lit, cannot be cut off or throttled back. If either fails the mission fails. The four main engines are not redundant. If one fails, the mission fails. The use of liquid hydrogen gives a lot of power but is incredibly dangerous since it can penetrate seals with ease. This is nothing more than 1960's technology being sold for premium prices. There is no way that this rocket can be as cost effective as the Falcon Heavy (which has none of the above flaws.)
Daishi
@bobcat4424 SpaceX is already at about $1,800/lb of payload vs NASA which is at 10,000/lb even without reusing rockets. If they can reuse rockets that cost should come down again significantly.
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