Session
Technical Poster Session III
Location
Utah State University, Logan, UT
Abstract
The introduction of CubeSats presented a revolutionary low-cost alternative to traditional spacecraft engineering, lowering the barrier to entry and allowing new players to join the space industry. Several student organizations, geographically isolated groups, and small businesses have leveraged this opportunity to launch and operate their own satellites. However, not all CubeSat projects are successful. Even with increased access to space, previously excluded groups still face significant challenges that lessen their chances of success. Forced to focus their efforts on developing the basic skills of building a satellite, they lose the resources to innovate. The use of the CubeSat standard is intended to promote access to space, yet the remaining challenges many teams face have prompted an evaluation of how accessible CubeSats really are.
Facilitating the Development of Innovative Mission Architectures by Connecting the Global Community
Utah State University, Logan, UT
The introduction of CubeSats presented a revolutionary low-cost alternative to traditional spacecraft engineering, lowering the barrier to entry and allowing new players to join the space industry. Several student organizations, geographically isolated groups, and small businesses have leveraged this opportunity to launch and operate their own satellites. However, not all CubeSat projects are successful. Even with increased access to space, previously excluded groups still face significant challenges that lessen their chances of success. Forced to focus their efforts on developing the basic skills of building a satellite, they lose the resources to innovate. The use of the CubeSat standard is intended to promote access to space, yet the remaining challenges many teams face have prompted an evaluation of how accessible CubeSats really are.
