Mini, micro, nanosatellite

Definition and examples

1. Mini, Micro, Nanosatellite

2. Mini, Micro, Nanosatellite Small satellites or Smallsats are satellites of low mass and size, usually under 500 kg (1,100 lb). While all such satellites can be referred to as small satellites, different classifications are used to categorize them based on mass. Introduction ESTCube-1 1U  CubeSat

3. One rationale for miniaturizing satellites is to reduce the cost: heavier satellites require larger rockets with greater thrust that also has greater cost to finance. In contrast, smaller and lighter satellites require smaller and cheaper launch vehicles and can sometimes be launched in multiples . They can also be launched 'piggyback ', using excess capacity on larger launch vehicles . Miniaturized satellites allow for cheaper designs as well as ease of mass production, although few satellites of any size other than 'communications constellations ', where dozens of satellites are used to cover the globe, have been mass produced in practice. Mini, Micro, Nanosatellite Rationales

4. Another major reason for developing small satellites is the opportunity to enable missions that a larger satellite could not accomplish, such as : Constellations for low data rate communications Using formations to gather data from multiple points In-orbit inspection of larger satellites University related research Mini, Micro, Nanosatellite Rationales

5. The nanosatellite and microsatellite segments of the satellite launch industry have been growing rapidly in recent years, and was based on the Spanish low cost manufacturing for Commercial and Communication Satellites from the 1990s . Development activity in the 1–50 kg range has been significantly exceeding that in the 50–100 kg range . In the 1–50 kg range alone, there were fewer than 15 satellites launched annually in 2000 to 2005, 34 in 2006 , then fewer than 30 launches annually during 2007 to 2011. This rose to 34 launched in 2012, and 92 launched in 2013 . Mini, Micro, Nanosatellite Definition

6. Companies planning small sat launch vehicles include : Virgin Galactic's LauncherOne (100 kg ) Firefly Space Systems' Alpha (400 kg ). Rocket Lab Electron (150 kg ) PLD Space (150 kg) Mini, Micro, Nanosatellite

7. A number of commercial and military contractor companies are currently developing microsatellite launch vehicles to perform the increasingly targeted launch requirements of microsatellites. While microsatellites have been carried to space for many years as secondary payloads aboard larger launchers , T he secondary payload paradigm does not provide the specificity required for many increasingly sophisticated small satellites that have unique orbital and launch timing requirements. Mini, Micro, Nanosatellite Microsatellite launch vehicle

8. The term " nanosatellite " or " nanosat " is applied to an artificial satellite with a wet mass between 1 and 10 kg (2.2 and 22.0 lb ). Designs and proposed designs of these types may be launched individually, or they may have multiple nanosatellites working together or in formation, I n which case, sometimes the term "satellite swarm " or "fractionated spacecraft" may be applied . Some designs require a larger "mother " satellite for communication with ground controllers or for launching and docking with nanosatellites . Mini, Micro, Nanosatellite Nanosatellites

9. In the ten years of nanosat launches prior to 2014, only 75 nanosats were launched. Launch rates picked up substantially when in the threemonth period from November 2013–January 2014 94 nanosats were launched. One challenge of using nanosats has been the economic delivery of such small satellites to anywhere beyond lowEarth orbit. By late 2014, proposals were being developed for larger spacecraft specifically designed to deliver swarms of nanosats to trajectories that are beyond Earth orbit for applications such as exploring distant asteroids. As of June 2014, more than 1000 nanosats are projected to be launched in the next five years . Mini, Micro, Nanosatellite Nanosat market

10. Picosatellite or " picosat " (not to be confused with the PicoSAT series of microsatellites) is usually applied to artificial satellites with a wet mass between 0.1 and 1 kg (0.22 and 2.20 lb ), A lthough it is sometimes used to refer to any satellite that is under 1 kg in launch mass . Again , designs and proposed designs of these types usually have multiple picosatellites working together or in formation (sometimes the term "swarm " is applied). Some designs require a larger "mother" satellite for communication with ground controllers or for launching and docking with picosatellites . Mini, Micro, Nanosatellite Picosatellites

11. The CubeSat design, with approximately 1 kilogram (2.2 lb) mass, is an example of a large picosatellite (or minimum nanosat ). Picosatellites are emerging as a new alternative for doityourself kitbuilders . Picosatellites are currently commercially available across the full range of 0.1–1 kilogram (3.5–35.3 oz ). Launch opportunities are now available for $12,000 to $18,000 for sub1 kg picosat payloads that are approximately the size of a soda can . Mini, Micro, Nanosatellite Picosatellites

12. Femtosatellite or " femtosat " is usually applied to artificial satellites with a wet mass between 10 and 100 g (0.35 and 3.53 oz ). Like picosatellites , some designs require a larger "mother" satellite for communication with ground controllers. Three prototype "chip satellites" were launched to the ISS on Space Shuttle Endeavour on its final mission in May 2011 . They were attached to the ISS external platform Materials International Space Station Experiment ( MISSE8) for testing . Mini, Micro, Nanosatellite Femtosatellites

13. In March 2014, the nanosatellite KickSat was launched aboard a Falcon 9 rocket with the intention of releasing 104 femtosatellitesized chipsats , or "Sprites ". ThumbSat is another project intending to launch femtosatellites in 2016 Mini, Micro, Nanosatellite Femtosatellites

14. Micro/ nanosats usually require innovative propulsion, attitude control, communication and computation systems. Larger satellites usually use monopropellants or bipropellant combustion rockets for propulsion and attitude control ; these systems are complex and require a minimal amount of volume to surface area to dissipate heat . These systems are used on larger microsats , while other micro/ nanosats have to use electric propulsion , compressed gas, vaporizable liquids such as butane or carbon dioxide or other innovative propulsion systems that are simple, cheap and scalable. Mini, Micro, Nanosatellite Technical challenges

15. ISRO’s Trend towards Micro and Nano ‐satellites ISRO has been launching multi‐purpose satellite for a long time to reduce the cost of the satellite launch . In addition, the size/weight of the satellite built during early days used to heavy . Also, the technology was not matured enough during those early days to reduce the payload size considerably . The problem with this flow is that a payload ready for a particular mission has to wait for other payloads t o complete. Mini, Micro, Nanosatellite

16. ISRO’s Trend towards Micro and Nano ‐satellites When the remaining payloads do get ready, the integration becomes complex and that delays the satellite launch further again... However, after a decade long research in the various fields the launch cost has been reduced considerable. Also there is asignificant development in the technology required to miniaturize the payload size. ISRO is all set to change their design methodology to take benefit of thevarious matured technologies. Mini, Micro, Nanosatellite

17. Mini, Micro, Nanosatellite Here are the characteristics of those categories

18. Third world satellite ﴾TWSAT﴿ is the first micro‐satellite that was launched by ISRO. It has been renamed to IMS‐1. The mission objective was to provide data for the academic organizations and research organization in developing countries free of cost . TWSAT carries a 4‐band multi‐spectral camera with a spatial resolution of 36m . The data provided by TWSAT can be used for application like resourced management in agriculture, forestry, and land use and in disaster management. Mini, Micro, Nanosatellite List of micro/mini satellites planned/launched: 1. TWSAT

19. Here is the list of the sub‐systems in TWSAT in the increasing order of the total weights, Actuators Power Structure Sensors Payload Integration Thermal/BMU/Mechanism Mini, Micro, Nanosatellite 1. TWSAT

20. Orbit Polar - sun synchronous Altitude - 635km Mission life - 2 years Mass - 83 kg Data storage - 16 Gb solid state recorder Telemetry,tracking , command and data handling S‐band Launch date - 24/04/2008 Mini, Micro, Nanosatellite 1. TWSAT - Details

21. Youth Satellite is the second in the series of micro‐satellite category by ISRO. The satellite is being developed jointly between Russian universities and Indian universities. It is expected launched somewhere during late‐2009. The mission objectives are , To study the solar activity, To study the effect of solar activity on ionosphere. The scientific instruments are being developed by students in both the countries to give them a hands‐on experience in space experiments and data processing . Mini, Micro, Nanosatellite 2. YouthSat

22. Satellite with Argos and ALtika is the first mini/ nano ‐satellite being developed /to be launched by ISRO . It is a satellite with 2 payloads ﴾Argos nd ALtika ﴿ from French space agency, CNES. The satellite is planned to be placed in sunsynchronous orbit of 800 km. CNES is providing the payload module consisting of the AltiKa altimeter, DORIS, LRA, and Argos‐3 DCS ﴾Data Collection System ﴿, and the payload data reception and processing functions, while ISRO is responsible for the platform, launch, and operations of the spacecraft. The satellite is expected to be launched during late‐2010. Mini, Micro, Nanosatellite 3. SARAL

23. To realize precise, repetitive global measurements of sea surface height, significant wave heights and wind speed for The development of operational oceanography ﴾study of mesoscale ocean viability , coastal region observations, inland waters, marine ecosystems, etc .﴿ Understanding of climate and developing forecasting capabilities Operational meteorology. Mini, Micro, Nanosatellite 3. SARAL – The mission objectives