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Satellites most of the times feature a simple design that should serve their communication purposes. But not all satellites are built to facilitate communications around the world. Take for example the Ocean Circulation Explorer (GOCE) that will be launched in orbit on September the 10th.

It is the result of several years of research conducted at the European Space Research Institute and it is equipped with an Electrostatic Gravity Gradiometer to measure the Earth’s gravitational fields. According to DVice, the satellite is primarily built to determine the speed and direction of ocean currents, and, as a secondary mission, investigate on Earth’s volcanic activity.

GOCE is powered by an electric motor charged up with solar panels, and will be set on course on a relatively low orbit just 167 miles above, where it will analyze the influence of gravitational fields. I order to better move through the atmospheric remnants that still exist at that altitude, the satellite has several streamlined fins that also serve to expand the are covered by the solar panels. I reckon the GOCE is probably the most aerodynamic satellite ever designed and could easily pass as a colonization spaceship. Maybe that whole gravitational field analysis is just a cover up for an interplanetary flight.