Passive Inspection CubeSat
Two CubeSats designed to inspect other spacecraft using cameras.
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The Passive Inspection CubeSat (PICS) is a technology demonstration spacecraft mission consisting of two CubeSat miniaturized satellites, designated PIC-A and PIC-B. Developed by students at Brigham Young University (BYU) as part of NASA's Educational Launch of Nanosatellites (ELaNa) initiative beginning in 2016, the project is notable for its use of cameras to provide a 360-degree view of other spacecraft, enabling visual assessment of exterior damage. BYU professor David Long described the concept as a "spacecraft selfie cam."
Lore & Background
The Passive Inspection CubeSat project was initiated in 2016 by students at Brigham Young University under NASA's Educational Launch of Nanosatellites (ELaNa) initiative. The two satellites, PIC-A and PIC-B, were originally scheduled for launch in 2018 but were delayed until 2021. They were successfully launched into orbit on January 17, 2021, as part of Virgin Orbit's Launch Demo 2 mission. This mission marked Virgin Orbit's first successful air-launch-to-orbit, during which the Boeing 747-400 Cosmic Girl carried the LauncherOne rocket from Mojave Air and Space Port to the Pacific Ocean, where the rocket separated and achieved orbit.
PICS was one of nine CubeSats on that flight. The satellites are outfitted with cameras to obtain a 360-degree view of other spacecraft, allowing visual inspection for potential damage. BYU professor David Long referred to the project as a "spacecraft selfie cam."
Reader's Guide
The Passive Inspection CubeSat mission demonstrates a practical approach to on-orbit spacecraft inspection using low-cost CubeSat platforms. By equipping two small satellites with cameras capable of capturing a full 360-degree view, the project aims to provide a method for visually assessing the exterior condition of other spacecraft and detecting possible damage. This capability could support future missions requiring remote inspection without the need for dedicated servicing spacecraft.
Developed by students at Brigham Young University under NASA's ELaNa initiative, PICS represents a hands-on educational effort that also contributes to the broader field of satellite servicing and situational awareness. Its launch on Virgin Orbit's first successful air-launch-to-orbit mission in January 2021 further highlights the growing role of commercial launch providers in deploying small satellite technology demonstrations. The project's concept, termed a "spacecraft selfie cam" by BYU professor David Long, underscores its novel approach to using passive imaging for inspection tasks.
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Sources
Compiled from Wikipedia and the sources listed below. Text from Wikipedia is available under CC BY-SA 4.0; this entry is adapted from it.
- Wikipedia: Passive Inspection CubeSat (CC BY-SA 4.0).
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