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ION-F (USUSat, Dawgstar, HokieSat / Nanosat 2)

ION-F (HokieSat, USUSat, Dawgstar)

ION-F (Ionospheric Observation Nanosatellite Formation) was a three satelliten nanosatellite program conducted by Utah State University, University of Washington and Virginia Polytechnic.

The three nanosatellites, one from each university (USUSat (Utah State University), DawgStar (University of Washington ) and HokieSat (Virginia Polytechnic), were to weigh about 10 kg each.

The goals of the ION-F alliance program were:

  • Basic research mission of investigating global ionospheric effects which affect the performance of space based radars, and other distributed satellite measurements.
  • Formation flying and local communication in a constellation, including upgrade from a three nanosatelLite constellation to four nanosatellites.
  • Baseline new technologies including micro-thrusters, attitude control, advanced tether system, and an Internet based operations center.
  • a Internet control of a distributed space system

They were to fly on the same Space Shuttle mission as the 3CS satellites, but were all cancelled, although Dawgstar was delivered.

Nation: USA
Type / Application: Technology
Operator: Utah State University, University of Washington and Virginia Polytechnic
Contractors: Utah State University, University of Washington and Virginia Polytechnic
Equipment:
Configuration: Hexagonal prism
Propulsion: Micropropulsion
Power: Solar cells, batteries
Lifetime:
Mass: 13 kg (Hokiesat)
Orbit:
Satellite COSPAR Date LS Launch Vehicle Remarks
ION-F 1 (USUSat) - cancelled CCK SLC-39 Shuttle with ?, ION-F 2, ION-F 3, 3CSat 1, 3CSat 2, 3CSat 3
ION-F 2 (Dawgstar) - cancelled CCK SLC-39 Shuttle with ?, ION-F 1, ION-F 3, 3CSat 1, 3CSat 2, 3CSat 3
ION-F 3 (HokieSat) - cancelled CCK SLC-39 Shuttle with ?, ION-F 1, ION-F 2, 3CSat 1, 3CSat 2, 3CSat 3

Launch Sites:

  • CCK =   NASA John F. Kennedy Space Center, Cape Canaveral, Florida, USA   USA

References:

Further University Nanosat Program (UNP) missions:

Cite this page:

Last update: 19.11.2025
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