RAAF M2 [UNSW]
Official name M2-A
Alternative name RAAF M2 A
Cospar ID 2021-023C
Norad ID 47967
Launch date 2021-03-22
Launch site RLLC
Launch vehicle Electron Photon-LEO
Country/Organization Australia
Type application Technology
Operator Australian Defence Force Academy, Royal Australian Air Force
RCS size MEDIUM
Decay date ON ORBIT
Period (min) 94.46
Inclination (deg) 45
Perigee (km) 490
Apogee (km) 494
Eccentricity 0.0040650406504065
Mean motion (revs. per day) 15.2445479568071
Semi-Major axis (km) 6870.135
Raan (deg) 201.4366
Arg of perigee (deg) 228.6049
Shape Box + 2 Pan + 1 Ant
Mass (kg) 10
Height (m) 0.15
Width (m) 0.2
Depth (m) 0.2
Span (m^2) 0.8
Contractors University of New South Wales
Propulsion None
Configuration CubeSat (6U (2×2×1.5U))
Power Solar cells, batteries

RAAF M2 is an Australian mission consisting of two 6U (2×2×1.5U) CubeSats designed and built by University of New South Wales for the Australian Defence Force Academy, Royal Australian Air Force.

The satellites will test capabilities in Earth observation, maritime surveillance, quantum computing, advanced AI, and laser comms.

M2 satellite builds on the work of the M2 Pathfinder and will be used for maritime surveillance as well as building block demonstrations of various sensors, communications and on-board processing. This particular satellite will be launched as a 12U CubeSat and split into two in orbit, and demonstrate formation flying technologies as well. These satellites have re-programmable software defined radios on board and can change their purpose mid-mission, greatly improving their functional capabilities for multiple uses by Defence and civilian users alike.

The satellites were launched in March 2021 on a shared Electron Photon-LEO launch. On 11 September 2021 the satellites seperated from each other in orbit.

Satellite COSPAR Date LS Launch Vehicle Remarks
M2-A 2021-023C 2021-03-22 RLLC Electron Photon-LEO with BlackSky 7, Centauri 3, Myriota 7, RAAF-M2 B, Gunsmoke-J 3, Veery Hatchling, Pathstone
M2-B 2021-023J 2021-03-22 RLLC Electron Photon-LEO with BlackSky 7, Centauri 3, Myriota 7, RAAF-M2 A, Gunsmoke-J 3, Veery Hatchling, Pathstone