Chantilly, Va., Dec. 16, 2025 – The Aerospace Corporation’s (Aerospace) DiskSat is set to launch during a window opening on December 18 at 05:00 UTC/12:00 a.m. EST (December 17 at 9:00 p.m. PST), aboard Rocket Lab’s “Don’t Be Such A Square” Electron rocket from Wallops Island, Virginia for the U.S. Space Force’s (USSF) STP-S30 mission. DiskSat is a lightweight, compact, flat disc-shaped satellite designed for optimizing future rideshare launches.

As the primary payload, four DiskSats will be individually ejected in a controlled manner from a dispense canister into low Earth orbit (LEO). Once deployed, this novel architecture will demonstrate enhanced maneuverability, test their propulsion systems, and assess their solar performance. This mission is supported by NASA’s Small Spacecraft and Distributed Systems program, based at NASA’s Ames Research Center in California’s Silicon Valley within the agency’s Space Technology Mission Directorate at NASA Headquarters in Washington, D.C., in collaboration with USSF Space Systems Command (SSC) and the Department of War’s (DoW) Space Test Program (STP).

“DiskSat demonstrates an entirely new satellite form factor, we’re helping open the door for future mission architectures and broader tech transfer opportunities that will strengthen our national space enterprise,” said Dr. Debra Emmons, vice president and chief technology officer at The Aerospace Corporation. “It reflects the power of innovative thinking and collaborative engineering.”

DiskSat's unconventional shape—one meter in diameter and two and a half centimeters thick—offers a variety of new possibilities for cost-effective and rapid constellation deployment, packing efficiency, and mass distribution. Its carbon fiber composite structure achieves a power-to-weight ratio unmatched by traditional aluminum satellites.

DiskSats, with 13 times the surface area for solar capabilities, will unlock the future potential of spacecraft by enabling operations at lower altitudes and significantly faster orbital changes, surpassing the capabilities of traditional satellites. This innovative design reimagines satellite structures to stay ahead of future mission concepts, cementing Aerospace’s role in pushing the boundaries of what’s possible for government, commercial and civil customers.

Building on this innovative approach, Aerospace has leveraged its independent technical expertise to develop modular, manufacturing-friendly designs that can be adapted for a variety of payloads, which can enhance user capabilities within the broader space ecosystem.

Aerospace is offering technology transfer opportunities for players across the space industry because a facet of the DiskSat program is the focus on collaboration and knowledge-sharing. These successful partnerships underscore the power of cross-agency collaboration to accelerate innovation, positioning the United States as a leader in space industrial advancements. DiskSat is available for licensing, supplier engagement, and custom mission applications. Images, videos and mission updates will be published on Aerospace channels as available.