The 100 kg (220 lbm) STRV 1C satellite will be placed in a 590 km by 39,248 km orbit, with an inclination of 6.5 degrees to the equator. After spacecraft separation, the spacecraft will do no maneuvering. The cubic craft will spin at around 10 degrees per second, enough to keep the satellite stable. The satellite is designed to operate for 1 year. The satellite is expected to have 80 watts of power at the beginning of their life. The stowed dimensions of each satellite are .7 m x .7 m x .7 m.

The two STRV spacecraft will test a series of new systems and theories. The STRV satellites will be the first satellites to operate using a lithium ion battery, will test a new secure communications system, will demonstrate a new Internet-based communications system, and will be the first satellites to evaluate the signal from GPS satellites from a higher orbit. 

The United Kingdom Defence Evaluation and Research Agency (DERA) built and operates the two satellites. Additional sponsors of the mission include the United Kingdom Ministry of Defense, the United States Ballistic Missile Defense Organization, the United States Air Force, ESA, and Canada.