North Dakota's 1st Spacecraft Gearing Up For Launch
FARGO, N.D. (AP) — A low-cost miniature satellite that a University of North Dakota research team has been working on for five years is ready for testing ahead of its scheduled December launch.
The so-called CubeSat is a 2-pound device that can be held in the palm of a person's hand. It will be North Dakota's first spacecraft to orbit the earth.
The project is meant to demonstrate the ability to make a functional spacecraft for a few thousand dollars. The team is hoping that other space buffs can use the template to build a satellite.
The spacecraft is scheduled to catch a ride on a supply ship heading to the International Space Station. Program director Jeremy Straub says the team has moved from the design phase to "fixing the things that don't work."
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