Session
Technical Session III: Reflections on the Past
Abstract
Twenty-five years ago in 1986, 25 microsatellites were launched into orbit; 24 were military communications satellites lofted by the former Soviet Union as part of a communications constellation. No active nanosatellites or picosatellites were launched that year. Last year (2010), 4 microsatellites, 15 nanosatellites, and 3 picosatellites were launched. Small spacecraft have gotten smaller, and they are being used for more than just communications. Advances in micro/nanoelectronics, microelectromechanical systems, solar cell technologies, global positioning systems, and the Internet have allowed small groups of individuals to design, build, and fly ever-smaller satellites with ever-increasing capabilities. In parallel, small satellite containment and deployment systems like the P-POD for CubeSats have been developed to minimize potential negative impacts on the host launch vehicle and primary payload, thus increasing the number of available launch opportunities. This work discusses small satellite launch trends, technology trends, satellite trends, and small satellite missions.
Presentation Slides
25 Years of Small Satellites
Twenty-five years ago in 1986, 25 microsatellites were launched into orbit; 24 were military communications satellites lofted by the former Soviet Union as part of a communications constellation. No active nanosatellites or picosatellites were launched that year. Last year (2010), 4 microsatellites, 15 nanosatellites, and 3 picosatellites were launched. Small spacecraft have gotten smaller, and they are being used for more than just communications. Advances in micro/nanoelectronics, microelectromechanical systems, solar cell technologies, global positioning systems, and the Internet have allowed small groups of individuals to design, build, and fly ever-smaller satellites with ever-increasing capabilities. In parallel, small satellite containment and deployment systems like the P-POD for CubeSats have been developed to minimize potential negative impacts on the host launch vehicle and primary payload, thus increasing the number of available launch opportunities. This work discusses small satellite launch trends, technology trends, satellite trends, and small satellite missions.
