1999 - Cheaper by the Dozen: The Move to Small Satellite Constellations

In just over a decade, smallsats have transitioned from one-of-a-kind, Special-Purpose Inexpensive Satellites (SPINSATs) to operational constellations. In this “baker’s dozen” edition of the AIAA/USU Conference on Small Satellites it is beneficial to survey the commercial, military, and scientific applications of smaller satellites in constellations and assess their impact on the character of modern space systems. Building, launching, and operating such constellations raises new challenges beyond those of single platform missions. The Conference will focus on the technical issues and new opportunities that result from and ever-growing trend toward programs with dozens or hundreds of satellites.