STARS-EC (Space Tethered Autonomous Robotic Satellite Elevator of CubeSat) is a nanosatellite developed by Shizuoka University, for the purpose of space elevator demonstration. It is a 3U-size CubeSat, and can split into three separate satellites, connected via tethers. STARS-EC was launched on 20 February 2021, and was deployed from the International Space Station (ISS).[1] The deployment service of STARS-EC was provided by Mitsui Bussan Aerospace.[2]
STARS-EC's mission is to demonstrate a space elevator using a 3U CubeSat. After deployment from the ISS, the satellite will split into three separate spacecraft, each the size of a 1U CubeSat.[3] The spacecraft on each end will be connected to the center satellite by a 11 m-long (36 ft) space tether, thus the satellites on the ends will be 22 m apart from one another.[2][4] The satellite in the center will move back and forth along the tether, testing an orbital space elevator. Each spacecraft is equipped with a camera to monitor the elevator demonstration.[3]
Original source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/STARS-EC.
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