# 102. Self-Flying Satellite’s Successful Space Mission

- Show: [The Next Byte Podcast](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-next-byte-podcast)
- Published: 2022-12-27
- Length: 23m
- Page: https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-next-byte-podcast/2022-12-27-102-self-flying-satellites-successful-space-mission
- Listen: https://the-next-byte-wevolver.simplecast.com/episodes/102-self-flying-satellites-successful-space-mission-rxW9OLDB

## Summary

Daniel and Farbod discuss the Agile Microsatellite (AMS) from MIT's Lincoln Laboratory, led by Principal Investigator Andrew Stymek, which successfully tested autonomous flight capabilities in space. They detail how the 12kg satellite, launched on a SpaceX Falcon 9, uses AI models to manage collision avoidance and rapid response missions in low Earth orbit. The hosts also cover the satellite's 'side quests,' including the Camera mission for disaster imaging and the Beacon mission for optical laser communication and potential beaming. Additionally, they highlight a sponsor segment featuring Duro Labs and co-founder Kellan O'Connor, who leveraged his early SpaceX experience to build a modern cloud-based PLM tool.

## Chapters

- [0:00](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-next-byte-podcast/2022-12-27-102-self-flying-satellites-successful-space-mission#t=0) Introduction and Duro Labs Sponsor Read
- [4:44](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-next-byte-podcast/2022-12-27-102-self-flying-satellites-successful-space-mission#t=284) MIT Lincoln Lab's Autonomous Satellite Overview
- [6:20](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-next-byte-podcast/2022-12-27-102-self-flying-satellites-successful-space-mission#t=380) Reasons for Autonomous Flight: Debris and Cost
- [11:02](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-next-byte-podcast/2022-12-27-102-self-flying-satellites-successful-space-mission#t=662) Agile Microsatellite (AMS) Hardware and Launch
- [13:33](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-next-byte-podcast/2022-12-27-102-self-flying-satellites-successful-space-mission#t=813) Flight Control Systems and AI Models
- [17:07](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-next-byte-podcast/2022-12-27-102-self-flying-satellites-successful-space-mission#t=1027) Camera Mission for Disaster Response
- [18:48](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-next-byte-podcast/2022-12-27-102-self-flying-satellites-successful-space-mission#t=1128) Beacon Mission and Optical Laser Communication

## Topics

- [Microcontrollers & dev platforms](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/microcontrollers-and-platforms)
- [Wireless & RF](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/wireless-and-rf)
- [Scaling production](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/scaling-production)
- [Careers & education](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/engineering-careers-and-education)
- [Connected products & IoT](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/connected-products-and-iot)
- [Design for manufacturing & NPI](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/design-for-manufacturing)

## Most relevant to

early-stage companies

## Mentioned

- Duro (company)
- SpaceX (company)
- MIT Lincoln Laboratory (company)
- Andrew Stymek (other)
- Agile Microsatellite (product)
- SpaceX Falcon 9 (product)
- Transporter 5 (other)
- Camera (product)
- Beacon (product)

## Related episodes from other shows

- [153: Space Nerf Gun](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm/2016-05-25-153-space-nerf-gun) (Embedded.fm)
- [Episode 146: Embodied AI on the ISS - Jamie Palmer](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/robot-talk/2026-02-27-episode-146-embodied-ai-on-the-iss-jamie-palmer) (Robot Talk)
- [106: I Am a Scientism](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm/2015-06-24-106-i-am-a-scientism) (Embedded.fm)
- [Ep059: Hydraulic Rockets & Presses, Machine Vision Bounces & Stares, Smart Speakers Listen to You](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/hackaday-podcast/2020-03-19-ep059-hydraulic-rockets-presses-machine-vision-bounces-stares-smart-speakers-lis) (Hackaday Podcast)
- [Ep 187: The Sound of Gleeful Gerbils, The Song of the Hard Drive, and a Lipstick Pickup Lullaby](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/hackaday-podcast/2022-09-30-ep-187-the-sound-of-gleeful-gerbils-the-song-of-the-hard-drive-and-a-lipstick-pi) (Hackaday Podcast)

## Citing this page

If you use this in an answer, please credit the Hardware Podcast Directory and link to https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-next-byte-podcast/2022-12-27-102-self-flying-satellites-successful-space-mission. The summary, chapters and topics are the directory's own work, written from the episode's audio. The episode itself, its title and its audio belong to The Next Byte Podcast.