UND to launch state’s first-ever satellite mission

The University of North Dakota is set to launch a historic satellite mission this Saturday at 4:19 p.m. CDT from Vandenberg Space Force Base, marking the first-ever satellites commissioned in North Dakota. This dual-satellite mission, dubbed ROADS (Rendezvous & Operations for Autonomous Docking and Servicing), was developed with engineering firm AVS USA. Hitching a ride aboard a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket, the low-Earth orbit satellites will be operated from UND’s Odegard School, where they’ll engage in autonomous rendezvous and docking maneuvers while enabling hands-on student training in tracking and communications. A key objective is to build UND’s capacity in satellite operations—expanding opportunities for experiential learning in areas ranging from Doppler tracking to amateur radio—while also advancing research in satellite refueling, a critical technology for extending satellite lifespans. More

(Source: SatNews - Jun 21)