ANSER CubeSats in orbit

An experimental flock of miniature CubeSats has survived the unexpected loss of its leader to begin monitoring water quality across Spain and Portugal. Named ANSER – from the Latin for the wild goose – these shoebox-sized satellites not only fly in formation like birds but also employ wing-like deployable flaps and solar panels to perform manoeuvres on a fuel-free basis, moving against the scarce air molecules found at the very top of the atmosphere. The satellites seen here are visualised using VTS (Visualization Tool for Space data) software which is licenced freeware owned by French space agency CNES and developed by the Spacebel company in Belgium.