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USC Students' Satellite Launches on SpaceX Falcon 9

July 8, 2026

1 min read

Key Takeaways

USC students designed and built a satellite launched on a SpaceX Falcon 9.
The satellite, MAVERIC, is testing LCD screens and 3D holograms in space.
Students will collect data on Earth's magnetic fields via rooftop antennas.
The project aims to improve spacecraft control precision.

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Strategic Implications

This launch may indicate growing collaboration between academia and private space companies, which could accelerate innovation in space technology. The project suggests a focus on developing practical applications for space-based research, which may have significant implications for the future of space exploration and satellite technology.

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What Happened

SpaceX Carries Student-Built Satellite into Orbit for Research

A satellite designed and built by about 60 USC engineering students and faculty members was launched on a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket from Vandenberg Space Force Base. The satellite, called MAVERIC, will test the functionality of LCD screens and 3D holograms in space, as well as collect data on Earth’s magnetic fields. The project is part of the USC Viterbi’s Space Engineering Research Center and aims to improve spacecraft control precision. The launch was reported by CBS Los Angeles.

Source | Originally Published: July 7, 2026

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