MT4 Interplanetary nanosatellites, CubeSats/SmallSats |
Convener: Pekka Janhunen | Co-Conveners: Anu Reinart , Jaan Praks , Mart Noorma , Brook Lakew , Andris Slavinskis , Sabrina Feldman |
Oral programme
/ Tue, 19 Sep, 11:00–12:45
/ Room Venus
Poster programme
/ Attendance Tue, 19 Sep, 17:45–19:15
/ Poster area
|
Due to radical platform and instrument miniaturisation, and paradigm shift in satellite design, nanosatellites/CubeSats/SmallSats are already used for Earth observation. The paradigm shift brakes the vicious circle of satellites being expensive, hence failure of a satellite is not acceptable which in turn drives the cost even higher due to strict requirements, such as full redundancy of all systems. The next step is to use nanosatellites for interplanetary exploration which will open a new range of technological solutions – fleets and formations satellites, autonomous distributed systems, propellantless propulsion and mothership-daughtership configuration; improvements – science return from an order of magnitude larger subset of planetary bodies and a marginal affect to mission success by failure of some satellites; as well as challenged – instrument performance, fleet design, advanced on-board systems, novel attitude and orbit control, etc.