Magic Wand - The Magic Wands experiment is intended to test technology enabling deployment of sensors from nano-satellites using a magic wand, which is launched in a folded configuration but deploys spontaneously upon its release in space

The Earth’s magnetic field protects us against charged particles and cosmic rays. Measurement of the magnetic field from space is important for improving navigation systems, however it requires that the sensors be considerably remote from the satellite. The Mateh Ksamim experiment is intended to test technology enabling future deployment of magnetic sensors from nano-satellites. The deployment is done using a magic wand, which is launched in a folded configuration but deploys spontaneously upon its release in space.

The wand is lightweight. It is made of a polymer resistant to the space environment, which has undergone a special high-temperature forming process. The experiment is intended to test and document the operation of the deployment mechanism under microgravity conditions and the suitability of the mechanism for use in nano-satellites. The Mateh Ksamim mechanism was developed by a team of scientists led by Dr. Ronen Verker of the Space Environment Department at the Soreq Nuclear Research Center.
The department is a national knowledge center on space environment research.