Quakesat is an earth observation nanosatellite based on 3 CubeSats. It was designed to be a proof-of-concept for space-based detection of ELF signals, thought by some to be earthquake precursor signals. The science behind the concept is disputed.
The students working on the project are hoping that the detection of magnetic signals may have value in showing the onset of an earthquake. The company, QuakeFinder, that put the satellites together is from Palo Alto, California. They're gathering data on the extremely low magnetic field fluctuations that are associated with earthquakes to help better understand this area of study. The primary instrument is a magnetometer housed in a 2 foot (0.6 m) telescoping boom.
The 30 June 2003 deployment of Quakesat was alongside other university CubeSats and one commercial CubeSat. The launch occurred on a Rockot rocket from Russia’s Plesetsk launch site.