2013 - Small Satellite Constellations: Strength in Numbers

Constellations of satellites enable whole new classes of missions for navigation, communications, remote sensing and scientific research for both civilian and military purposes. The scope and affordability of such multi-spacecraft missions is closely tied to the capabilities, manufacturability, and technical readiness of their components, as well as the diverse launch opportunities available today. Advances in all areas of small satellite technologies will enable these fractionated systems, cooperative measurements or multi-node constellations, but what are the key advancements that will allow groundbreaking missions to be executed? During the 27th year of the AIAA/USU Conference on Small Satellites, we aim to provide awareness of space missions enabled through small satellite constellations, including the technical challenges and enabling technologies, for building, testing, launch and operations.