NASA Nanosatellite Studies Life in Space

NASA's O/OREOS Nanosatellite

On Nov. 19, 2010, NASA launched a small bread-loaf sized satellite into a 400 mile high earth orbit to look for, study and report back on microorganisms at the fringe of our atmosphere. The nanosatellite is known as Organism/Organic Exposure to Orbital Stresses (O/OREOS). It was launched from Kodiak Island, Alaska, at the Alaska Aerospace Corporation’s Kodiak Launch Complex, hitching a ride on a U.S. Air Force four-stage Minotaur IV rocket.

While in orbit, the 12 pound satellite will be the first of its kind to conduct autonomous biological and chemical measurements, in the region of space known as the exosphere. Here, astrobiologists hope O/OREOS will be able to answer some fundamental questions about the origin, evolution and distribution of life in the universe.

“The fact that we’re getting consistently good science data in such a challenging environment tells us that secondary payload nanosatellites like O/OREOS can be made rugged enough to enhance our opportunities to conduct research in low Earth orbit,” said Antonio Ricco, instrument scientist for O/OREOS and a researcher at NASA’s Ames Research Center, Moffett Field, Calif. “This is enabling us to study organics, microorganisms, and astrobiology in the space environment in real time.”

After its mission life has expired some 25 years from now, O/OREOS will burn up as it re-enters Earth’s atmosphere. This is the first time that NASA has used a propellant-less mechanism on a scientific satellite to ensure it de-orbits.