To demonstrate and flight-qualify several innovative technologies and concepts for application to future space missions. The goal was to reduce the weight, size, and cost of space missions while increasing their technical capabilities and concepts.
ST5 consists of three micro-satellites exploring the Earth's magnetic fields. It included designing and building miniaturized components and technologies that can be integrated into small satellites, known as "small-sats". Each small-sat will weigh approximately 47 pounds when fully fueled, flying clusters of multiple satellites reduces the risk of an entire mission failing if one system or instrument fails.