The JAWSAT (Joint Air Force Academy / Weber State University Satellite) project was developed by students working alongside aerospace professionals. Initially designed with a pulsed-plasma thruster to train Air Force Academy cadets (see JAWSAT), the mission has since evolved to include the efforts of several universities, local aerospace companies, the Air Force Academy, the Air Force Research Laboratory, and NASA. Utilizing breakthrough technologies, JAWSAT deployed four satellites when it reached orbit. The onboard imaging system recorded the deployment of each payload with its six digital cameras. Two other experiments remained attached to the JAWSAT Multi-Payload Adaptor (MPA) frame.
- FalconSat 1 from United States Air Force Academy
- OPAL, a satellite from Stanford University
- ASUSat 1 from Arizona State University
- OCSE (Optical Calibration Sphere Experiment) from the Air Force Research Laboratory under contract to L'Garde, Inc.
JAWSAT also supported two other experiments that remained attached to its MPA frame:
- PEST (Plasma Experiment Satellite Test), NASA Marshall Space Flight Center
- Attitude Controlled Platform (ACP), which is designed to create an exceptionally low-cost three-axis stabilized attitude control system. Consisting of tiny reaction wheel canisters and a magnetometer, the ACP will be used to orient JAWSAT during the deployment of its payloads.
One Stop Satellite Solutions has developed a robust spaceframe to meet the demands for the small satellite industry, the Multi-Payload Adaptor Frame (MPA). The frame consists of six waterjet-cut aluminum isogrid pieces assembled in a "windmill" design. Termed a multi-payload adaptor, it can be quickly and easily proportioned for multiple applications and payloads.
The mission ended when the satellite's main battery failed in May 2000.
