The United Nations General Assembly at the time of the new millennium approved a set of developmental goals known as the millennium goals that were to be strived to be accomplished by 2015. Although progress was made toward those goals on a global basis, there remained a great deal more to be accomplished. In 2015, a new set of expanded goals were approved known as the sustainable development goals. These new objectives were set to be accomplished by 2030.

    There are many ways that satellite technology and various types of space applications can be applied to reaching the 17 United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). This is especially true with regard to small satellite technology and services. “Smallsats” can contribute to the accomplishment of those goals in many ways. This is because “smallsats” can reduce significantly the cost of deploying and operating satellites as well as reducing launch costs. The use of off-the-shelf components can in many ways make “smallsat” technology more accessible to developing countries. The UN COPUOS has also established a working group on “Space 2030”agenda that will seek to define and develop space capabilities, including small satellite systems and applications, that can further the UN Sustainable Development Goals. This process will start in 2020 and will continue to report on progress achieved.

    The following chapter discusses the various ways that small satellites, individually and in constellations, can be employed to work toward achieving these 17 UN Sustainable Development Goals.


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