{"id":17820,"date":"2021-07-29T18:31:12","date_gmt":"2021-07-29T18:31:12","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/c4isrnet\/uncategorized\/2021\/07\/29\/space-force-launches-small-satellite-to-test-new-sensor-possibilities\/"},"modified":"2026-08-08T18:00:26","modified_gmt":"2026-08-08T18:00:26","slug":"space-force-launches-small-satellite-to-test-new-sensor-possibilities","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/c4isrnet\/space\/2021\/07\/29\/space-force-launches-small-satellite-to-test-new-sensor-possibilities\/","title":{"rendered":"Space Force launches small satellite to test new sensor possibilities"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

WASHINGTON \u2014 The U.S. Space Force launched a new experimental satellite July 29 that will test the possibility of installing large, deployable weather sensors on small satellites.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Named Monolith, the satellite is an Air Force Research Laboratory program exploring the possibility of using small satellites for Department of Defense missions. The mission for this latest launch will demonstrate whether large, deployable sensors can be effectively used with 6U- or 12U-sized satellite buses. A 6U satellite is 10-by-20-by-30 centimeters, while the 12U is larger at 20-by-20-by-30 centimeters.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The disposable sensors being used represent a significant amount of the small satellite\u2019s mass, and this demonstration will help the Space Force understand how that affects the spacecraft\u2019s dynamic properties and its ability to maintain attitude control. If successful, the mission could enable the service to use smaller satellites to field weather sensors.<\/p>\n\n\n\t