A Lockheed Martin Athena 1 solid propellant booster will be launched from Alaska's Kodiak Launch Complex on 17 September, carrying a four-payload cargo called Kodiak Star, marking the first orbital flight from the site. The four satellites include the 90kg (200lb), 1m (3.3ft) diameter NASA-sponsored Starshine, a student project which will study orbital decay by tracking reflections off the satellite's 1,500 mirrors and 312 retroreflectors. The other payloads are part of the Department of Defense Space Test Program.
Picosat carries four technology demonstration payloads; PCSat will become part of the amateur radio community's automatic position reporting system; and Sapphire is an infrared sensor demonstrator microsatellite.
Source: Flight International
