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Satellite Clusters Go Into Space

Posted by michael on from the synchronized-orbiting dept.

prostoalex writes "This Thursday Payload Systems will launch its first set of volleyball-sized satellites from a launching pad in Kazakhstan. The SPHERES (Synchronized Position Hold, Engage & Reorient Experiment Satellites) is a joint project between Payload and MIT. The satellites can fly in formation, share information with one another, and help other satellites with refueling and repairs."

2 of 28 comments (clear)

  1. Re:collisions by jarda · · Score: 4, Interesting

    That's why satellite grids are useful. If there's many satellites in the grid, they're much more redundant against collisions, since losing one or two satellites out of twenty shouldn't have that catastrophic consequences.

    Besides, I hope space agencies are alreadz smart enugh at least not to put more debris on low earth orbit intentionally.

    --
    "Two beers or not two beers. That's the question." -- Shakesbeer
  2. What is in a name? by cloudless.net · · Score: 2, Interesting
    "The SPHERES (Synchronized Position Hold, Engage & Reorient Experiment Satellites)"

    Does anyone else find this name awkward? As if they randomly picked words to make up the acronym. This seems to be the trend and people are trying too hard to be creative.