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).
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