Design, Fabrication and Test of a Formation of Two Satellites Connected by a Tether

MR and MRS SAT are now in the flight vehicle constructionintegrationtest phase. Constraints have been clearly defined for each subsystem and efforts have shifted to integrated component testing. Subsystem timelines have been formed and are integrated into a master schedule. In-depth research for each subsystem is being documented, and relationships with mentors from a variety of companies are continuing to flourish. Bench testing of individual components i.e. solar arrays, communication hardware, is ongoing and has led to the integration and testing of the initial MRMRS SAT prototypes. The successful design, production, and launch of MRMRS SAT will be of great value to the University of Missouri-Rolla and the aerospace community. UMR SAT students will benefit from the hands-on experience of designing and building a satellite, while the aerospace community will benefit from the engineering and scientific return obtained at a modest cost.