The M2 CubeSat is Australia’s most complex Cubesat yet. In orbit, the M2 will split into two smaller CubeSats (M2-A and M2-B) and engage in formation flying. Formation flying enables us to conduct research into satellite control mechanisms, space domain awareness, and inter-satellite communications. The two satellites will be able to communicate with each other as well as ground stations back here on earth, giving better quality data, with greater detail and less lag time.
The satellite was almost entirely designed and built in Australia in a collaboration between Air Force, UNSW Canberra Space, and a domestic supply chain of around 30 Australian companies.