The Q-PACE (CubeSat Particle Aggregation and Collision Experiment) satellite built by UCF's Josh Colwell and team was launched into orbit aboard Virgin Orbit’s LauncherOne from the carrier aircraft Cosmic Girl. Its mission is to capture video of particles colliding to help scientists understand the earliest stages of planet formation.
“We now have experience in building small satellites and getting them into orbit,” said Colwell. “It’s pretty exciting, and now we have to get in touch with the satellite and get the experiments running.” The mission will last up to three years, with the satellite eventually falling into Earth’s atmosphere and burning up.
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