Satellite Overview Size does count. “Design is an iterative process. The necessary number of iterations is one more than the number you have currently done. This is true at any point in time.” ~anon. Task: What is the motivation for developing small satellites?

Topics Covered Types of small satellites Advantages of our CubeSat Disadvantages of our CubeSat Possibilities Resources/Bibliography

Types of Small Satellites TypesWet Mass* Large/MediumOver 500kg (1100 lbs.) Mini kg ( lbs.) Micro10-100kg ( lbs.) Nano1-10kg ( lbs.) Pico0.1-1kg ( lbs.) FemtoUnder 100g (0.22 lbs.)

*Side Note: Attitude Control Wheel technology – Momentum wheels generate torque Microthrusters Magnetorques (???) Inertial alignment (???)

Advantages Less payload Smaller volume Shorter development times Smaller budgets Capable of performing many of the functions of larger satellites Shorter lifespan – Becomes outdated before systems failure “A small satellite inherently limits the amount of trouble you can cause.” ~anon.

Disadvantages Less volume Limited function due to size – Many applications and experiments require resources that only large satellites can produce (for now) Shorter lifespan

The Possibilities Networked CubeSats match or surpass the capabilities of large, solitary satellites Next-generation Internet applications Space-based radar Ultra-powerful space telescopes – Better than the Hubble

Resources/Bibliography

Supplementary Material ~Small satellites are becoming more popular with commercial and military ventures. The past 10 years has seen a drastic increase in the amount of small satellites launched by military, commercial, government, universities, and amateur organizations. ~Digital Store and Forward launches three big satellites in 10 years. 1) UoSAT-2, launched '84 -hardware: 128Kbyte of message store and 1200bps data rate 2) UoSAT-3, launched '90 -hardware: 16Mbyte of message store and 9600bps data rate 3) FASat-Alfa (part of UoSAT series), launched '95 -hardware: 300Mbytes of message store and 76,800bps data rate Interestingly enough, UoSAT-2 was still functional in '95. Cost reduction drives the small satellite industry. If you compare the hardware on UoSAT-2 and FASat-Alfa you'll find that FASat-Alfa has 2300 times more message space and is 64 times faster than UoSAT-2. MILLIONS of dollars could have been saved if a small satellite had been used.

From Jamie Morgan: Subject: motivation for cubesats Date: Thursday, January 17, :10 AM From: To: The motivation for developing and building small satellites began as one goal. Which was to provide an effective framework for the design, construction, and launch of picosatellites by students. This was stated on the Stanford web page. Once completed the satellite would deliver small payloads into earth’s orbit. On the web page for Montana they stated that the goal of their project was the same as earth’s first satellite. It was put up in 1958 by the U.S. and was named Explorer 1. The goal of this satellite was to measure the radiation in the Van Allen belts that surround the earth. Other ideas that could serve as motivation could revolve around taking measurements for larger satellite companies, taking pictures and even dealing with the military.