FalconSat 8

FalconSat 8 [AFRL]

FalconSAT-8, is a microsatellite developed by the U.S. Air Force Academy and sponsored by the USAF Research Laboratory (AFRL).

FalconSAT-8 is an educational platform for cadets, which performs technology demonstrations for the Air Force. FalconSAT-8 carries five experimental payloads, and members of the Cadet Space Operations Squadron will operate FalconSAT-8.

The satellite will test a novel electromagnetic propulsion system, low-weight antenna technology and a commercial reaction wheel to provide attitude control in orbit.

following experiments are on board:

• MEP (Magnetogradient Electrostatic Plasma Truster) – Novel electromagnetic propulsion system
• MMA (Metamaterials Antenna) – Low size, weight, power antenna with phased-array like performance
• CANOE (Carbon nanotube experiment) – RF cabling with carbon nanotube braiding flexed using shape-memory alloy
• ACES (Attitude Control and Energy Storage) – Commercial reaction wheel modified into a flywheel for energy storage and release
• SkyPad – Off-the-shelf cameras and GPUs integrated into low-SWAP (size, weight and power) package

The satellite was deployed end of May 2020 from the service module of X-37B OTV-6, which was launched on 17 May 2020 on an Atlas-5(501).