Miguel Rubenstein
Northwestern University, Chicago

We propose a mission to use ~10,000 actively steerable femtosats to map the ring composition, atmospheric composition and density, and distribution of Saturn’s magnetic field. Conducting in situ studies of Saturn’s rings with a single flagship mission, such as Cassini, would carry an unacceptably high risk of mission failure due to particle collisions. However, the distributed nature of the proposed mission means that it can accept a risk that could destroy many of the femtosats in the constellation, making in situ study of the ring possible.

National Teams 2026