Session
Session I: Where We've Been
Abstract
Twenty years ago, when the AIAA/USU Conference on Small Satellites began, only a handful of people in the industry were looking at reducing the size and complexity of satellites. This paper gives the backgrounds of a few of these people, as well as the story of the conference's beginnings. Included are Gil Moore, Rex Megill, Frank Redd, Rudy Panholzer, Eric Hoffman, Amnon Ginati, Bob Meurer, Ron Woll, and Bob Twiggs. When the conference began, there were many nay-sayers who didn't see any value in small satellites. Small satellites didn't seem useful with the technology then available. Over the years, however, small satellites moved from being hobbyist projects to performing important missions. The miniaturization of electronics, smaller budgets, and the need for faster completion were all factors in that success. Resistance to change remains today. There is still a strong desire for bigger, more capable satellites with almost perfect reliability. Another obstacle to success is access to cheap, responsive launches. On the horizon are materials advancements, commercial technology breakthroughs, and success with imaging and distributed apertures.
Presentation Slides
From the Perspective of the Pioneers: The Small Sat Revolution
Twenty years ago, when the AIAA/USU Conference on Small Satellites began, only a handful of people in the industry were looking at reducing the size and complexity of satellites. This paper gives the backgrounds of a few of these people, as well as the story of the conference's beginnings. Included are Gil Moore, Rex Megill, Frank Redd, Rudy Panholzer, Eric Hoffman, Amnon Ginati, Bob Meurer, Ron Woll, and Bob Twiggs. When the conference began, there were many nay-sayers who didn't see any value in small satellites. Small satellites didn't seem useful with the technology then available. Over the years, however, small satellites moved from being hobbyist projects to performing important missions. The miniaturization of electronics, smaller budgets, and the need for faster completion were all factors in that success. Resistance to change remains today. There is still a strong desire for bigger, more capable satellites with almost perfect reliability. Another obstacle to success is access to cheap, responsive launches. On the horizon are materials advancements, commercial technology breakthroughs, and success with imaging and distributed apertures.
