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Cluster mission

Four identical satellites form a tetrahedral cluster, emitting beams of light as they orbit near a planet, demonstrating advanced space technology for scientific research.

A European Space Agency programme to study the Earth's magnetosphere using four identical satellites flying in tetrahedral formation, allowing three-dimensional measurements of plasma and magnetic field structures. The original four spacecraft were lost on Ariane 5's maiden flight in 1996. Rebuilt from spares as Cluster II, they launched on two Soyuz rockets in 2000 and operated for over twenty years.

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