Science
AEROCUBE 6B
CubeSat Technology Demonstrator (Differential Drag) · The Aerospace Corporation
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The companion satellite to AeroCube-6A, flying in formation to demonstrate that two independent CubeSats using differential atmospheric drag could actively control their relative separation — one satellite intentionally maximizing drag to fall behind while the other minimized it to pull ahead. This propellant-free formation-keeping technique proved that meaningful orbital maneuvering doesn't always require a rocket engine; sometimes clever aerodynamics is enough.
Its orbit
- Orbit
- Low Earth Orbitcan appear as a fast-moving star at dawn or dusk
- Altitude
- 336–372 mi (541–598 km)
- Inclination
- 97.7°
- One orbit
- 95.9 minutes15.0 orbits a day
- NORAD ID
- 40046
- Int’l designator
- 2014-033AN
- Launched
- 2014
Orbital elements from CelesTrak, as of 22 Sep 2026.
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