A USAF C-17 airdrops a dummy rocket to simulate the DARPA-USAF “QuickReach”-a proposed new small satellite booster-demonstrating that the booster would not impact the cargo bay on the way out.
Small satellites meant to improve the way the U.S. measures Earth’s magnetic field—an option to expand the military’s position, navigation, and timing enterprise—launched March 30 from Vandenberg Space Force Base, Calif.