Cosmic Wander Mission Launched by D-Orbit
Cosmic Wander Mission Launched by D-Orbit
Payloads Included 18 Satellites for Deployment
The 12th commercial D-Orbit mission, named Cosmic Wander, was among the payloads carried into orbit on the SpaceX Transporter 9 mission Saturday. The D-Orbit ION Satellite Carrier with its 18 spacecraft was subsequently deployed into a sun-synchronous orbit at an altitude of 525 kilometers (≈326 miles).
“Our aim is to make space more accessible and versatile for everyone."
Renato Panesi, D-Orbit
The ION Satellite Carrier can individually place satellites into specific orbital slots. Additionally, ION can host a variety of third-party payloads, including innovative technologies from startups, research experiments from academic institutions, and test instruments from established enterprises.
"As we streamline our launch preparation and integration processes, we're setting a new standard for efficiency and reliability in the space industry,” said Renato Panesi, PhD, D-Orbit's cofounder and Chief Commercial Officer. “Our aim is to make space more accessible and versatile for everyone, from startups to established space enterprises, and this new successful launch is a testament to that vision."
D-Orbit's mission control team is now conducting the Launch and Early Orbit Phase (LEOP), setting the stage for the upcoming operational phase.
During the mission, ION hosted onboard several satellites, third-party satellite deployers, and third-party payloads. Those included:
LEMUR 2 NANAZ, a 3U satellite by SPIRE: designed to excel in data collection from both terrestrial and celestial sources, this satellite is part of Next-Generation Non-Geostationary Satellite Orbit (NGSO) broadband internet constellations. It aims to harvest data for in-depth analyses of Ku and Ka-band spectrum usage across diverse applications, regions, and markets, identifying specific activities and behavioral patterns.
Intuition-1, a 6U EPIC VIEW Earth observation satellite by AAC Clyde Space: equipped with an advanced hyperspectral instrument by KP Labs, Intuition-1 is set to provide high-resolution, multiband, hyperspectral data far surpassing the capabilities of the human eye's color detection. At its core is the novel data processing unit, Leopard, designed to utilize neural networks for in-orbit data processing, marking a significant leap in artificial intelligence applications within the space sector. KP Labs foresees the technology aboard Intuition-1 playing a pivotal role in diverse fields, including agriculture, forestry, mining, environmental protection, and defense. Primarily aimed at the agriculture sector, the hyperspectral data collected will be a powerful tool for optimizing crop yields, as well as for the early detection of invasive species, pests, and subtle changes in soil composition.
Crypto3, a 3U CubeSat by Cryptosat: Crypto3 serves a multitude of blockchain applications, including MPC, key management, and data security, as well as a prototype platform for edge computing in space. Equipped with features like high bandwidth, satellite-to-satellite networking, and an advanced cryptographic processing unit, this 3U CubeSat aims to provide an unprecedented level of security for blockchain applications.
A memorial payload by StardustMe, consisting of a batch of aluminum machined capsules, each carrying a gram of human cremated ashes, contained in an additive-manufactured frame and enclosure. The assembly, permanently fixed to the main core of ION, will eventually re-enter the atmosphere with the host vehicle during decommissioning, providing an ultimate form of space burial.
D-Orbit’s thirteenth commercial orbital transportation mission will be launched in just a few weeks.