New Atlas

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Lockheed Martin develops smart satellite that can be reprogrammed in orbit

David Szondy March 21, 2019

Lockheed Martin is rolling out a new class of CubeSat that can be reprogrammed in orbit like a smartphone to take on new missions. The new SmartSat technology is being integrated into over 10 satellite programs to start with and the prototypes will be launched this year.

Lockheed Martin's new SmartSat technology prototypes will be launched this year on the first LM 50 ...

Space

Longer-lasting propulsion system designed for CubeSats

Ben Coxworth February 6, 2019

In recent years, shoebox-sized "CubeSats" have made satellite technology available to groups that could otherwise never afford it. A new propulsion system, developed at Indiana's Purdue University, could now also make the devices more reliable.

A pair of CubeSats, viewed from the International Space Station

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Martian CubeSats go silent after proving their pint-sized potential

David Szondy February 5, 2019

The two MarCO CubeSats that accompanied NASA's InSight mission on its voyage to Mars have gone silent. Mission control has been unable to contact either of the briefcase-sized spacecraft for over a month as they continue to hurtle into deep space beyond the orbit of the Red Planet.

An artist's rendering of the twin Mars Cube One (MarCO) spacecraft, which have gone silent after ...

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Laser CubeSats could become artificial stars to keep space telescopes focused

David Szondy January 5, 2019

NASA is poised to send larger and larger telescopes into space over the next couple of decades and a team of researchers at MIT is working out how to use laser-equipped CubeSats to keep them fixed on target.

Space

First-of-a-kind Rocket Lab launch lets NASA CubeSats ride to space in luxury

Nick Lavars December 16, 2018

NASA's Venture Class Launch Services program aims to use a new breed of smaller rockets to let CubeSats ride in luxury on their own personal, purpose-built spacecraft. The agency has now carried out its very first launch as part of this endeavor.

Space

Lasers help keep CubeSats on target to handle large data downlinks

David Szondy December 14, 2018

An MIT team is working on a new aiming system that will allow CubeSats to use lasers for high-bandwidth communications with Earth. The new laser-pointing platform uses a second directional beam to keep the primary data beam on focus, allowing the CubeSat to transmit large amounts of data.

A new laser-pointing platform developed at MIT may help launch CubeSats into the high-rate data game

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Mars-bound CubeSats catch first glimpse of the Red Planet

Michael Irving October 22, 2018

Back in May, NASA launched some extra luggage along with the Mars InSight lander – two briefcase-sized CubeSats named MarCO-A and MarCO-B. These two little spacecraft are the first of their kind to venture into deep space, and now they've sent us back their first glimpse of the Red Planet.

Space

Japanese Cubesats are one small step for space elevators

Michael Irving September 24, 2018

For over a century people have floated the idea of a space elevator – which is exactly what it sounds like – but the logistics of that just aren’t possible yet. Now Japan has launched a pair of satellites to test out some technologies that might help make a space elevator a reality in future.

An artist's conception of the STARS-Me satellites, two CubeSats connected by a tether with a robot ...

Space

Award-winning CubeSat becomes the first to detect an exoplanet

David Szondy August 16, 2018

The ASTERIA satellite has claimed the first exoplanet to be detected by a CubeSat. It was able to accurately measure the transit light curve of 55 Cancri e as it passed in front of its parent star.

Space

First radar-equipped CubeSat among three heading to the ISS

David Szondy May 19, 2018

When the latest Cygnus cargo mission to the SS lifts off, its manifest will include three CubeSats, including the first equipped with radar. The size of three cereal boxes and weighing only 26 lb (11.8 kg) each, the miniature satellites will be used to demonstrate new technologies in orbit.

The RainCube 6U CubeSat with fully-deployed antenna