UFOs Declassified: The Government's Flying Disc Files Revealed & The Rise of DiskSat Technology
The recent surge in interest surrounding Unidentified Aerial Phenomena (UAPs), commonly known as UFOs, has prompted increased government transparency and a renewed focus on advanced aerospace technologies. While the declassification of government files on flying discs continues to fuel public fascination, a parallel revolution is unfolding in satellite technology. This article delves into both aspects, exploring the latest developments in UAP investigations and the groundbreaking DiskSat program – a new satellite design poised to reshape space exploration and surveillance. The launch of four DiskSats by Rocket Lab marks a significant step in this evolution, offering a glimpse into the future of low-Earth orbit capabilities.
The DiskSat Revolution: A New Form Factor Takes Flight
On Thursday, a Rocket Lab Electron launch vehicle successfully deployed four innovative DiskSats into orbit from Virginia. This mission, funded by the government, serves as a crucial technology demonstration, testing the performance of this novel spacecraft design. The satellites, housed within a cylindrical dispenser, were released approximately an hour after liftoff at an altitude of 340 miles (550 kilometers). This launch signifies the beginning of a “proof of concept” mission, spearheaded by The Aerospace Corporation, a federally funded research and development center, with joint financial backing from NASA and the US Space Force.
“DiskSat is a lightweight, compact, flat disc-shaped satellite designed for optimizing future rideshare launches,” explains The Aerospace Corporation. These satellites, measuring 39 inches (1 meter) in diameter and a mere 1 inch (2.5 centimeters) thick, are constructed from composite carbon fiber. Each DiskSat is equipped with essential components including solar cells, control avionics, reaction wheels, and an electric thruster for altitude control and maintenance.
“The launch went perfectly, and the DiskSat dispenser worked exactly as designed,” stated Darren Rowen, the project’s chief engineer. “We’re pleased to have established contact with all four of the DiskSats, and we’re looking forward to the rest of the demonstration mission.”
A History of Innovation: From CubeSats to DiskSats
The Aerospace Corporation has a long-standing history of supporting both the US military and NASA since its inception in 1960. The DiskSat concept emerged a few years ago as engineers identified evolving government needs in spaceflight. For nearly a quarter-century, CubeSats have been a cornerstone of the satellite industry. These cube-shaped satellites, typically measuring 10 centimeters per side, are scalable to meet diverse mission requirements. The CubeSat standard has gained popularity among commercial companies, the military, NASA, and universities due to its affordability and accessibility.
To date, nearly 3,000 CubeSats have been launched since 2003, expanding beyond low-Earth orbit to reach high-altitude orbits, the Moon, and even Mars. However, engineers at The Aerospace Corporation recognized an opportunity to refine this concept.
Debra Emmons, Aerospace’s chief technology officer, credits Rich Welle, a recently retired scientist from the center’s Experiments Lab (xLab), with originating the idea. “They were asking questions,” Emmons recounted in an interview with GearTech. “They were looking at CubeSat studies and looking at some alternatives. The typical CubeSat is, in fact, a cube. So, the idea was could you look at some different types of form factors that might be able to generate more power … and offer up benefit for certain mission applications?”
DiskSat Advantages: Power, Efficiency, and Scalability
The research team at Aerospace Corporation ultimately settled on the DiskSat design. Emmons explains that the stackable, flat-panel format simplifies launch packing compared to CubeSats, mirroring SpaceX’s approach with its Starlink Internet satellites, albeit on a significantly smaller and more adaptable scale.
DiskSats offer several key advantages over CubeSats. Each of the launched DiskSats weighs approximately 35 pounds (16 kilograms), less than a typical 12U CubeSat. However, a DiskSat boasts over 13 times the surface area on a single side, providing ample space for power-generating solar arrays, sensors, antennas, and other payloads that wouldn’t fit on a CubeSat.
In comparison, SpaceX’s current generation of Starlink V2 satellites each weigh over 1,100 pounds (500 kilograms). DiskSat’s design delivers “a power-to-weight ratio unmatched by traditional aluminum satellites,” according to The Aerospace Corporation. A research paper published earlier this year claims DiskSat can generate five to 10 times more power than a CubeSat.
Potential Applications: Surveillance, Communications, and Beyond
What missions could benefit from DiskSat technology? One possibility involves deploying a large radar antenna – too large for conventional low-mass satellites – on a DiskSat’s broadside to capture all-weather surveillance imagery. Similarly sized antennas could also support high-bandwidth communications. The Space Force’s interest in the DiskSat concept is readily apparent.
This demonstration mission will be crucial in evaluating the DiskSat platform’s performance in space. Engineers will initially assess functionality at 340 miles, then utilize the electric thrusters to descend to lower altitudes, where another aspect of DiskSat’s design will become apparent.
The satellite’s pancake shape minimizes aerodynamic drag when flying edge-on in the thicker air below 250 miles. Continuous pulsing from the electric thrusters will enable the DiskSats to maintain altitude while navigating the upper atmosphere.
“The primary mission is to demonstrate and to understand the performance, functionality and maneuverability of the DiskSat buses on orbit, particularly in low-Earth orbit, or LEO, and very low-Earth orbit, or VLEO,” said Catherine Venturini, DiskSat’s principal investigator.
“In theory, I think you could operate down to 200 kilometers (124 miles) with electric propulsion,” Emmons added. This is two to three times closer to Earth than most commercial radar imaging satellites. Other satellite operators are also exploring the feasibility of remote sensing missions in VLEO. Closer proximity to Earth yields higher-resolution imagery, providing a clearer view of cities, ships, airports, and military installations.
Challenges and Future Outlook
DiskSat engineers acknowledge certain drawbacks. The large surface area makes temperature management in low-Earth orbit more challenging than with traditional cube-shaped satellites. While DiskSats possess significant altitude control capabilities, their shape makes them somewhat unwieldy and less suited for missions requiring agile pointing.
The Aerospace Corporation, being a research center, isn’t a commercial satellite manufacturer. Officials plan to transfer the DiskSat design to industry partners through a technology transfer agreement. “The plan is to release or license the technology to partners once it is flight-proven,” states The Aerospace Corporation on its website.
“We think this new technology will be disruptive to the small spacecraft enterprise and ecosystem,” said Eric Breckheimer, DiskSat’s program manager. The stackable design allows for the launch of a fleet of high-power, low-mass satellites in a single mission. Following the trend towards larger CubeSats, the DiskSat format could also be scaled up to leverage heavier rockets. “There’s a key scalability aspect, and with that in mind, you could bring an entire constellation of DiskSats with you in a single launch,” Breckheimer explained.
The Intersection of UAP Investigations and Advanced Technology
The development of technologies like DiskSat is occurring alongside a growing interest in understanding UAPs. The US government’s increased transparency regarding UAP sightings, including the release of reports and videos, has spurred demand for advanced surveillance and data analysis capabilities. While DiskSat isn’t specifically designed for UAP detection, its high-resolution imaging and broad coverage potential could contribute to improved monitoring of the skies. The ability to operate in VLEO, providing clearer imagery, is particularly relevant in this context.
The future of space exploration and surveillance is undoubtedly being shaped by innovations like DiskSat. As the government continues to declassify information about UAPs and invest in advanced technologies, we can expect further breakthroughs that will redefine our understanding of the cosmos and our place within it. The combination of increased transparency and technological advancement promises a new era of discovery and security.