New NASA Satellites Shipped to Launch Site

NASA’s Space Technology 5 micro-satellites have arrived at the Vandenberg Air Force Base, Calif., launch site for a scheduled February lift-off.

NASA’s ST5 Project consists of three smaller satellites called micro-satellites. Those micro-sats will test and validate new technologies for future science missions. The hope is ST5 will demonstrate the benefits of a group of small, low-cost spacecraft taking measurements at the same time in different locations.

The ST5 satellites are to operate in space for at least 90 days after launch from Vandenberg, about 55 miles northwest of Santa Barbara, Calif.

The project is a part of NASA’s New Millennium Program, which was created to identify, develop, build, and test innovative technologies and concepts for use in future missions.