How tiny satellites act as one giant radio dish in space

Space · Published 8 October 2026 Swipe more like this →

In short: Small satellites, no larger than toaster ovens, are preparing to revolutionize solar observation. By flying in formation above geosynchronous orbit, these SmallSats can function as a single, massive radio antenna to detect solar radio waves before dangerous particles reach Earth.

The SunRISE mission, officially known as the Sun Radio Interferometer Space Experiment, represents a significant leap in heliophysics. Scheduled to launch no earlier than mid-2027 from Kennedy Space Center, the mission will utilize a SpaceX Falcon Heavy rocket. Acting as a rideshare, it will carry a payload funded by the United States Space Force’s Space Systems Command.

A group of six SmallSats forms the mission's primary mechanism, functioning together just above a geosynchronous orbit at roughly 22,000 miles (35,000 kilometres) altitude. By working together, these toaster-oven-sized satellites create a vast radio dish capable of tracking radio bursts from the Sun's corona. These bursts are caused by accelerated particles escaping the solar atmosphere.

Understanding these solar events is critical for planetary defense. Solar radio waves travel faster than the solar energetic particles that follow them. Because extreme particle events can damage orbiting satellites and pose risks to astronauts, detecting the initial radio signals provides a vital window for prediction and mitigation. The mission's science is led by the University of Michigan, while project management is handled by JPL, a division of Caltech.

This effort is part of NASA's Explorers Program, managed by the Goddard Space Flight Center. Similar small-scale research is being advanced through the Educational Launch of Nanosatellites (ELaNa) program. This partnership between NASA's Launch Services Program and various universities allows small research satellites to be launched as auxiliary payloads, such as the CubeSats slated for the Soil Moisture Active Passive (SMAP) mission on January 29.

General information, not professional advice. Spotted an error? Flag the card or see corrections and complaints.

Intellect Plus is a visual educational discovery platform for exploring fascinating facts and ideas. Brain Food, Not Brain Rot. What is Intellect Plus?

Related

• How a fleet of toaster-sized satellites monitors solar storms
• Six toaster-sized satellites are teaming up to track the Sun's most dangerous eruptions.
• How a million miles from Earth, we track the Sun's temper
• A discarded satellite now serves as Earth's primary early warning system for solar storms
• Twenty-five years of constant solar surveillance reveals the Sun's rhythmic, explosive power
• Why tiny satellites are the secret laboratory for our future in space
• The high-stakes logistics of surviving on the Moon and Mars
• How smart wearables transformed from simple timepieces into personal health coaches
• How a song about an imaginary astronaut became an ISS anthem
• Why did we spend decades intentionally crashing rockets into the lunar surface?
• How AI slashed the time to simulate our entire galaxy from decades to months
• How NASA technology helps us understand the origins of your favorite cheese board snacks.

More in Space · Latest · A–Z · All topics