Satellites of low mass and size, usually under 500 kg
ESTCube-1 1U CubeSat
A small satellite, miniaturized satellite, or smallsat is a satellite of low mass and size, usually under 1,200 kg (2,600 lb).[1] While all such satellites can be referred to as "small", different classifications are used to categorize them based on mass. Satellites can be built small to reduce the large economic cost of launch vehicles and the costs associated with construction. Miniature satellites, especially in large numbers, may be more useful than fewer, larger ones for some purposes – for example, gathering of scientific data and radio relay. Technical challenges in the construction of small satellites may include the lack of sufficient power storage or of room for a propulsion system.
^"Smallsats by the Numbers" (PDF). brycetech.com. 1 January 2020.
A smallsatellite, miniaturized satellite, or smallsat is a satellite of low mass and size, usually under 1,200 kg (2,600 lb). While all such satellites...
are small CubeSats. Similar satellites can work together as groups, forming constellations. Because of the high launch cost to space, most satellites are...
The SmallSatellite Launch Vehicle (SSLV) is a small-lift launch vehicle developed by ISRO with payload capacity to deliver 500 kg (1,100 lb) to low Earth...
Small Astronomy Satellite may refer to: Uhuru (satellite), or Small Astronomy Satellite A (SAS-A) or SAS 1, launched 1970 Small Astronomy Satellite 2...
recognized as the premier conference on smallsatellites, the SmallSatellite Conference (also known as SmallSat) is held each August on the campus of...
A natural satellite is, in the most common usage, an astronomical body that orbits a planet, dwarf planet, or small Solar System body (or sometimes another...
started launching Starlink satellites in 2019. As of early March 2024, it consists of over 6,000 mass-produced smallsatellites in low Earth orbit (LEO)...
Advanced Satellite Launch Vehicle (ASLV) was another small launch vehicle released in 1980s to develop technologies required to place satellites into geostationary...
relatively small space missions, typically an artificial satellite with a specific science focus. Explorer 6 in 1959 was the first scientific satellite under...
SmallSatellite Orbital Deployer (J-SSOD) and the Nanoracks CubeSat Deployer (NRCSD). The J-SSOD is the first of its kind to deploy smallsatellites from...
The Small Astronomy Satellite 3 (SAS 3, also known as SAS-C before launch) was a NASA X-ray astronomy space telescope. It functioned from May 7, 1975...
A CubeSat is a class of smallsatellite with a form factor of 10 cm (3.9 in) cubes. CubeSats have a mass of no more than 2 kg (4.4 lb) per unit, and often...
Geosynchronous satellite platforms: In addition to those above, the following companies have successfully built and launched (smaller) satellite platforms:...
The University of Georgia SmallSatellite Research Laboratory (SSRL) is a research laboratory which builds CubeSats for Earth observation. The laboratory...
satellite on the X band (8–12 GHz) or Ku band (12–18 GHz) frequencies requiring only a small dish less than a meter in diameter. The first satellite TV...
18 December 2019, it is the first Small-class mission in ESA's Cosmic Vision science programme. The smallsatellite features an optical Ritchey–Chrétien...
The Small Astronomy Satellite 2, also known also as SAS-2, SAS B or Explorer 48, was a NASA gamma ray telescope. It was launched on 15 November 1972 into...
Electron orbital rockets used to provide dedicated launch services for smallsatellites as well as a suborbital variant of Electron called HASTE (Hypersonic...
communication satellite. The term most commonly means a dish which receives direct-broadcast satellite television from a direct broadcast satellite in geostationary...
reflect its internal goals. In 2016 the center helped found the UGA SmallSatellite Research Laboratory. In 2016 research from the Center was used to identify...
developed to service the commercial smallsatellite launch market. As of May 2024, it’s the third most launched small-lift launch vehicle in history. Its...
Surrey Satellite Technology Ltd, or SSTL, is a company involved in the manufacture and operation of smallsatellites. A spin-off company of the University...
A communications satellite is an artificial satellite that relays and amplifies radio telecommunication signals via a transponder; it creates a communication...
FalconSAT is the United States Air Force Academy's (USAFA) smallsatellite engineering program. Satellites are designed, built, tested, and operated by Academy...
Aeronautics and Astronautics. doi:10.2514/6.2010-6616. "CU Aerospace - Small-Satellite Propulsion Unit for CubeSats (PUC)". www.cuaerospace.com. Archived...
spacecraft. When released, the smallsatellites are provided a push of about 1 m/s (3.3 ft/s) that begins a slow process of satellite separation from the ISS...
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