From Imagination to Reality: Scientific Capacity Building through National Small Satellite Missions
- Paper number
IAC-08.B4.2.1
- Author
Dr. Susan Jason, Surrey Satellite Technology Ltd., United Kingdom
- Coauthor
Mr. Alex da Silva Curiel, Surrey Satellite Technology Ltd., United Kingdom
- Coauthor
Mr. Doug Liddle, Surrey Satellite Technology Ltd., United Kingdom
- Coauthor
Dr. Lee Boland, Surrey Satellite Technology Ltd., United Kingdom
- Coauthor
Prof. Martin Sweeting, Surrey Satellite Technology Ltd, United Kingdom
- Year
2008
- Abstract
Picture this as your National Space Science Programme:
- New missions launched every year inside a budget of $40m per year
- Rapid mission turnaround - two years from concept to orbit
- Leading role in science in space worldwide
- Bi-laterals and multi-lateral collaborations
International flagship missions have enabled world class science and have achieved high profile status globally. These missions typically do what individual nations cannot do on their own and enable a framework for national programmes. Small satellites can be used to underpin national programmes. One of the simplest of many benefits could be argued as healthy competition and collaboration between nations. This ensures continual progress, innovation and improving economic returns which will ultimately enrich the international programmes.
The benefits of National Small Satellite Missions are wide ranging and include:
- More flight opportunities for more PI’s
- More focused missions with less pressure to accommodate various non-related instruments
- Faster turnaround from concept to results.
- To be more responsive to emerging opportunities
- The national distinction of pioneering next generation science
- To de-risk expensive projects
- Opportunities to bargain and collaborate in bi-laterals
- Opportunities to train next generation scientists and engineers
- Prestigious, strategic asset focussed on national goals
Low cost small satellite missions have been very successful in providing outstanding results to a wide range of scientific and commercial users. Small satellite performance and capabilities have seen dramatic improvements and the technologies are now mature. From global daily revisit imaging of the Earth, to in-orbit test beds, rapid response programmes, Solar Science, Space Environment, Atmospheric Science and Astronomy, small satellites are in the fore.
There is huge potential for small satellite exploitation, and a roadmap towards complex scientific mission objectives can be achieved with low cost satellites, individually, and in constellations and formations to increase data sampling and synthesise much larger satellites. In addition it is possible to co-locate a small satellite alongside a larger, traditional satellite to mitigate payload accommodation challenges and to effectively add extra payloads once the main satellite has been launched.
SSTL has launched 26 small satellite missions for many prestigious customers. This paper provides highlights of SSTL’s successes in making National Small Satellite Missions a reality for both developed and emerging space nations and takes forward small satellite arguments into the arena of Space Science, predominantly perceived to be the territory of the large observatory class missions.
- Abstract document
- Manuscript document
(absent)