Now that we have launched and executed initial commissioning including spacecraft power-checks detumbling solar panel deployment and regular 2-way communications on a daily basis between the ground…

The National Aeronautics and Space Administration Shared Services Center awarded The Pennsylvania State University $573,765 on June 30, 2026, under the Science program (CFDA 43.001) to support continued operations and science of the BlackCAT CubeSat, a soft X-ray monitor, transient finder, and burst detector for high-energy and multimessenger astrophysics. The award funds work through June 29, 2027, and is performed in State College, Pennsylvania.

New Mexico Consortium, operating as Nmc, Inc., is a sub-grantee on this award, collaborating on BlackCAT CubeSat operations and science activities. The funding covers the transition from initial spacecraft commissioning—including power checks, solar panel deployment, and daily two-way ground communications—into sustained mission operations.

Now that we have launched and executed initial commissioning including spacecraft power-checks detumbling solar panel deployment and regular 2-way communications on a daily basis between the ground and our spacecraft we are ready to execute the…