NASA launches tech demo to make spacecraft cheaper to design – NotebookCheck.net News
NASA launched a small satellite called R5-S7 in late November. It is a CubeSat built with cost-saving methods. It is set to showcase rapid, low-cost ways of building and operating satellites.
On November 28 at 6:44 PM UTC, NASA launched the R5-S7 (Realizing Rapid, Reduced-cost high-Risk Research project Spacecraft 7). The CubeSat launched on a commercial rideshare mission aboard a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket.
R5-S7 is part of the R5 series of CubeSats. It is built using commercial off-the-shelf parts and less expensive subsystems. It also follows shorter development timelines.
R5-S7’s programming includes a special proximity operations maneuver — the first-ever R5 satellite to try this. The proximity operations maneuver is basically a controlled movement near another object. It is programmed to happen immediately after R5-S7 leaves the launch vehicle. The maneuver is an important ability for future tasks like inspecting, repairing, and building things in orbit.
Generally, with the R5 series, NASA aims to show that spacecraft design can be more affordable and the timeline for building them can be reduced from years to months. R5-S7 was launched alongside three other NASA-funded CubeSats. The SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket also carried several other satellites during this launch. They were all launched as part of SpaceX’s Transporter-15 rideshare mission.
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Chibuike Okpara – Tech Writer – 309 articles published on Notebookcheck since 2024
I have always been fascinated by technology and digital devices my entire life and even got addicted to it. I have always marveled at the intricacy of even the simplest digital devices and systems around us. I have been writing and publishing articles online for about 6 years now, just about a year ago, I found myself lost in the marvel of smartphones and laptops we have in our hands every day. I developed a passion for learning about new devices and technologies that come with them and at some point, I asked myself, “Why not get into writing tech articles?” It is useless to say I followed up the idea — it is evident. I am an open-minded individual who derives an infinite amount of joy from researching and discovering new information, I believe there is so much to learn and such a short life to live, so I put my time to good use — learning new things. I am a ‘bookworm’ of the internet and digital devices. When I am not writing, you will find me on my devices still, I do explore and admire the beauty of nature and creatures. I am a fast learner and quickly adapt to changes, always looking forward to new adventures.
Chibuike Okpara, 2025-12- 6 (Update: 2025-12- 6)
