Abstract The notion of a “nanosat” or satellite in the range of 1 to 10 kg is not new. In fact, some of the very earliest satellites were technically “nanosats”. These were barely functional but did demonstrate that artificial satellites were feasible. Driven by the belief that bigger is better, spacecraft grew larger and larger for the next thirty years. Mission designers took full advantage of the large launch vehicles developed for human flight and military endeavors. This approach has proven to be very successful. Complex, sophisticated spacecraft now perform incredible missions on a regular basis. So if we have built small spacecraft a long time ago, and now deploy large spacecraft to provide services and conduct space exploration, why is there interest in “nanosats”? The answer is simple. It is economics. Designs that provide today’s complexity and yesterday’s size are critical for tomorrow’s missions. There are mission concepts, which if done with today’s technology, would not be feasible because of cost. Constellations of satellites using “off the shelf” technology to provide simultaneous collection of data over a wide area of geospace could be built today. However, the cost of this hardware and the massive multiple launch vehicles to deploy such systems would be prohibitive. Yet, these distributed sensor webs are key elements in the future plans of NASA’s Earth and Space Enterprises. Highly capable, inexpensive and reliable nanosats must be made a reality The same technology and design techniques that are necessary for nanosats can also be applied to large single-purpose missions. This will increase mission design flexibility and allow a balance of performance, reliability, launch vehicle selection and total cost. This paper is intended to stimulate a new thinking about future mission possibilities enabled by the development of nanosat systems and the underlying technologies they employ. Examples are provided to initiate the conversation; applications are left to visionary planners.


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    Title :

    Nanosatellite Science Applications


    Contributors:


    Publication date :

    2002-01-01


    Size :

    9 pages





    Type of media :

    Article/Chapter (Book)


    Type of material :

    Electronic Resource


    Language :

    English




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