1998 - Smaller than Small: The Next Generation

During the past eleven years, Small Satellites have grown from concept to reality, from an idea to a fully mature industry. The Annual AIAA/USU Conference on Small Satellites has also grown as it has documented the development of this vital, exciting enterprise. The descriptor “small” has been subdivided into mini, nano, and pico as the concept has been expanded and technology further miniaturized. Indeed, it seems as if all satellites are small these days, it’s only a question of how small. The thrust of this year’s 12th Annual Conference is to examine the future of the so-called “Next Generation” of small satellite buses, instruments, and technologies.