* Astronomy

Mayflower Test Satellite, Jointly Developed by Northrop Grumman and Applied Minds, Proves Successful During Recent SpaceX Mission

Northrop Grumman Corporation and Applied Minds, LLC announced the success of a recent launch and orbit of a Mayflower test microsatellite. Data gathered from around the world was analysed, showing all tested systems functioned correctly including a new, previously unproven advanced solar cell deployment system. While this first flight collected baseline design data, subsequent flights at higher altitudes will demonstrate unique propulsion, communication and orientation capabilities, and novel payloads.
The satellite, launched on Dec. 8, 2010, was the first commercial cubesat deployed into orbit by SpaceX. A cubesat is a type of miniaturized spacecraft used for research. Mayflower was launched on a Falcon 9 Dragon test mission and successfully injected into an elliptical orbit approximately 285 kilometres above earth.
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