Virgin Orbit’s Launch Demo 2 will lauch the Miniature Tether Electrodynamics Experiment-1 (MiTEE-1) on Wednesday, Jan 13.

This student-built CubeSat from the University of Michigan will test the concept of using the Earth’s magnetic field to generate thrust, maintain itself in low Earth orbit without thrusters or propellant. The experiment will consist of a satellite about the size of a loaf of breadbox and another about the size of a smartphone that deploys on a one-meter (33-in) rigid boom.

More info: Pioneering a way to keep very small satellites in orbit.