Session
Technical Session IV: Future Missions 2
Abstract
As the utility and usefulness of small spacecraft are being demonstrated in orbit by NASA and other organizations and academia, it is becoming clear that small spacecraft can and should have a large roll in the exploration of the solar system. The various benefits associated with small platforms include low cost, frequent missions, and by virtue of those features, repeatable and evolutionary missions. This paper describes the motivation for establishing a dedicated function within the NASA Ames Research Center to pursue and implement multiple missions with small, inexpensive spacecraft, and outlines some future trends and directions of the Small Spacecraft Division within the context of science and exploration.
Presentation Slides
The NASA ARC Small Spacecraft Division
As the utility and usefulness of small spacecraft are being demonstrated in orbit by NASA and other organizations and academia, it is becoming clear that small spacecraft can and should have a large roll in the exploration of the solar system. The various benefits associated with small platforms include low cost, frequent missions, and by virtue of those features, repeatable and evolutionary missions. This paper describes the motivation for establishing a dedicated function within the NASA Ames Research Center to pursue and implement multiple missions with small, inexpensive spacecraft, and outlines some future trends and directions of the Small Spacecraft Division within the context of science and exploration.
