Session
Technical Session I: Applications of Small Satellites
Abstract
Small satellites, with masses well under 100 kg, can perform useful deep space science missions for costs similar to those of low earth orbit and geosynchronous smallsats. Space Explorations has identified several interesting missions for smallsats, with the objective of developing "turnkey" space-science packages which would have a cost to the customer of $10,000,000 and be operable by one or a few people. We have analyzed one mission, a Lunar Polar Photographic Orbiter, in great detail over the last year. We conclude that it is commercially and scientifically feasible to produce a small lunar satellite which is capable of doing extensive, high-resolution photography of the moon. The LPPO would photograph those portions of the moon which have never been observed, at resolutions of 30 m, and it would remap the entire far southern quadrant of the moon at 100 times the resolution of existing maps.
Deep Space Missions for Small Satellites
Small satellites, with masses well under 100 kg, can perform useful deep space science missions for costs similar to those of low earth orbit and geosynchronous smallsats. Space Explorations has identified several interesting missions for smallsats, with the objective of developing "turnkey" space-science packages which would have a cost to the customer of $10,000,000 and be operable by one or a few people. We have analyzed one mission, a Lunar Polar Photographic Orbiter, in great detail over the last year. We conclude that it is commercially and scientifically feasible to produce a small lunar satellite which is capable of doing extensive, high-resolution photography of the moon. The LPPO would photograph those portions of the moon which have never been observed, at resolutions of 30 m, and it would remap the entire far southern quadrant of the moon at 100 times the resolution of existing maps.
