NASA’s DiskSat launched into low Earth orbit early Thursday morning from the company’s Launch Complex 2 on Wallops Island, Virginia. Four plate-shaped spacecraft demonstrated a new small spacecraft technology that aims to lower mission costs and expand access to space.

Flying edge-on, the satellite’s pancake shape will minimize aerodynamic drag as the DiskSats encounter thicker air below 250 miles. Continual pulsing from the satellites’ electric thrusters will allow the DiskSats to maintain altitude as they glide through the uppermost layers of the atmosphere.

On Dec. 18, 1999, NASA launched its flagship Terra satellite into Earth's orbit to collect data about Earth's changing climate. Terra contains five different sensors that monitor Earth's atmosphere, lands,