As part of the OCSD mission, NASA tested a new method of maneuvering for microsatellites - CubeSats. Steam energy was used to set the apparatus in motion.
The maneuvers were performed using two CubeSats in low Earth orbit. They were orbiting the Earth at a distance of about 9 kilometers from each other when they established radio communication. One of the satellites "commanded" the other to activate the accelerator and approach it.
Both vehicles had "fuel tanks" filled with water. This water was turned into steam, which accelerated the satellite for maneuvering. As a result, the CubeSats approached each other at the required distance.
The developers plan to introduce this technology into the movement system of groups of such small satellites.
The maneuvers were performed using two CubeSats in low Earth orbit. They were orbiting the Earth at a distance of about 9 kilometers from each other when they established radio communication. One of the satellites "commanded" the other to activate the accelerator and approach it.
Both vehicles had "fuel tanks" filled with water. This water was turned into steam, which accelerated the satellite for maneuvering. As a result, the CubeSats approached each other at the required distance.
The developers plan to introduce this technology into the movement system of groups of such small satellites.
