Science

STARLING 4

NASA Autonomous Satellite Swarm Technology Demonstrator · NASA Ames Research Center

Starling 4, part of NASA's first-ever test of true satellite swarm autonomy — four small spacecraft flying together with no ground controller telling them what to do, using onboard software to decide for themselves how to maintain formation, avoid collisions, and coordinate science observations. It's a genuine departure from how every previous multi-satellite mission has worked: instead of humans commanding each satellite individually, Starling proves a swarm can manage itself, technology NASA considers essential for any future mission involving dozens or hundreds of coordinated spacecraft at once.