Get ready to witness a groundbreaking leap in satellite technology! The U.S. Space Force and NASA are teaming up to launch an experiment that could redefine how we operate in space, particularly in the challenging environment of very low Earth orbit (VLEO). But here's where it gets controversial: can a flat, disk-shaped satellite really outperform the tried-and-true cubesat design? Let’s dive in.
Later this week, Rocket Lab is set to launch four innovative satellites, dubbed DiskSats, aboard its Electron rocket from the Mid-Atlantic Regional Spaceport in Virginia. Scheduled for no earlier than 12:00 a.m. Eastern on December 18, this mission, designated STP-S30, has been fast-tracked from its original spring 2026 target. And this is the part most people miss: these satellites aren’t just another addition to the growing crowd in orbit—they’re designed to tackle one of the most daunting challenges in space: operating in VLEO, where atmospheric drag can quickly doom a mission.
Developed by the Aerospace Corp. with NASA funding, DiskSats are a bold departure from traditional small satellites. Each spacecraft is about three feet in diameter, shaped like a flat plate, and optimized to minimize drag as it glides through the upper atmosphere. According to NASA, this design offers a larger surface area, enabling more efficient solar power generation and additional space for instruments. The goal? To support a broader range of missions than cubesats of similar mass can handle.
But here’s the kicker: DiskSats are tailored to fit perfectly within the payload volume of Rocket Lab’s Electron rocket. For launch, multiple DiskSats are stacked inside a dispenser and deployed individually once the rocket reaches orbit. This mission isn’t just about testing a new satellite design—it’s about proving that sustained operations in VLEO are possible, despite the region’s harsh conditions.
VLEO, typically defined as altitudes below 300 kilometers, is a tough neighborhood for satellites. Atmospheric drag rapidly reduces orbital altitude, often limiting mission lifetimes to just days or weeks without continuous propulsion. Yet, operating in this region offers significant advantages, including higher-resolution Earth imaging, improved remote sensing signals, and lower-latency communications. DiskSats aim to overcome these challenges by combining a low-drag flight orientation with high-efficiency electric propulsion to counteract orbital decay.
Rocket Lab’s Electron rocket will deploy the four DiskSats into a circular orbit at approximately 550 kilometers. From there, Aerospace Corp. will test the satellites’ maneuverability, the dispenser mechanism, and their ability to change orbits using electric propulsion. If successful, this demonstration could pave the way for future defense and commercial constellations in VLEO—a regime that has remained largely untapped due to its technical complexities.
The Space Force is providing critical launch and on-orbit operations support under an agreement with NASA, highlighting the mission’s dual military and scientific significance. Rocket Lab secured a $14.4 million contract for STP-S30 in 2024, underscoring the growing importance of public-private partnerships in advancing space technology.
But here’s a thought-provoking question: If DiskSats prove successful, could they render cubesats obsolete for certain applications? Or will the two designs coexist, each serving unique purposes in the ever-expanding realm of space exploration? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below. The future of satellite technology is unfolding before our eyes, and your perspective could be the next piece of the puzzle.
