NASA’s Starling satellites have started in-orbit commissioning activities in preparation for their mission to demonstrate technologies for autonomous navigation, networking, decision-making and planning and execution.
The four 6U-sized small satellites have made initial contact with ground operators after reaching low Earth orbit and are set to undergo three commissioning stages: spacecraft bus commissioning, payload commissioning and propulsion system commissioning, NASA said Friday.
Three of the CubeSats have accomplished the first commission stage ahead of schedule while the Starling mission team is in the process of establishing two-way communications with the fourth spacecraft.
The multi-satellite mission launched aboard Rocket Lab’s Electron launch vehicle from Launch Complex 1 in New Zealand to test autonomous new technologies for autonomous swarm positioning and maneuvering in space.