Session
Technical Session II: Commercial Uses of Small Satellites
Abstract
This paper presents the results of a Microsat Feasibility Study conducted by Telespazio S.p.A and Interferometrics Inc. The study examined the feasibility of three possible near term space missions: (1) data collection and relay for environmental monitoring, (2) mobile messaging and digital communications, and (3) remote sensing of sulfur dioxide content in the atmosphere and detection of wild fires. The generalized system architecture consists of a network of low Earth orbit microsatellites, an array of low cost fixed and mobile User Terminals for either communications or data collection, and a Mission Control Center tailored to the specific mission. A prototype system consisting of four or more microsatellites could perform a combined environmental data relay mission and a limited communications mission in the 1994 - 1999 time frame. An operational system based on the experience gained during the prototype phase could be designed for both a remote sensing and a communications mission for the 1997 - 2004 time frame. The study examined the technical, programmatic and financial aspects of the selected missions. The objective of this effort was to establish the design parameters for evaluating the profitable introduction of these new microsatellite missions during the time frame of interest. The paper presents the mission designs, system concepts and programmatic aspects of selected microsatellite opportunities.
System Design for Commercial Microsatellite Missions
This paper presents the results of a Microsat Feasibility Study conducted by Telespazio S.p.A and Interferometrics Inc. The study examined the feasibility of three possible near term space missions: (1) data collection and relay for environmental monitoring, (2) mobile messaging and digital communications, and (3) remote sensing of sulfur dioxide content in the atmosphere and detection of wild fires. The generalized system architecture consists of a network of low Earth orbit microsatellites, an array of low cost fixed and mobile User Terminals for either communications or data collection, and a Mission Control Center tailored to the specific mission. A prototype system consisting of four or more microsatellites could perform a combined environmental data relay mission and a limited communications mission in the 1994 - 1999 time frame. An operational system based on the experience gained during the prototype phase could be designed for both a remote sensing and a communications mission for the 1997 - 2004 time frame. The study examined the technical, programmatic and financial aspects of the selected missions. The objective of this effort was to establish the design parameters for evaluating the profitable introduction of these new microsatellite missions during the time frame of interest. The paper presents the mission designs, system concepts and programmatic aspects of selected microsatellite opportunities.
