Creating Standards for the Small Satellite Industry

Paper number

IAC-08.B4.7.8

Author

Dr. Milind Pimprikar, CANEUS, Canada

Coauthor

Mr. Andrew H. Quintero

Coauthor

Mr. Fredrik Bruhn, Angström Aerospace Corporation (AAC), Sweden

Coauthor

Mr. M. Rick Earles

Coauthor

Dr. Thomas George, ViaLogy Corporation, United States

Year

2008

Abstract

Agency and industry representatives from Canada, Europe, USA, Brazil, Japan and other parts of the world came together in order to open up the market for small satellites and facilitate dialogue between the many stakeholders in the industry, there is a need to create an international consortium for the standardization of the small satellite industry.

This presentation describes Small Satellite developments within the international cooperation framework of the CANEUS network.

The CANEUS Small Satellite Working Group (SSWG) has three sub-groups dedicated, in turn, (a) to developing standards so as to ensure international interoperability, (b) to identifying launch opportunities and services and (c) to provide governmental liaison and strategic development.  International cooperation is a common element in all activities and tasks. 

An important goal of the CANEUS SSWG is to mitigate risk by pooling the financial resources and developments from several countries to rapidly gain acceptance for small satellites as a viable space mission platform. It will apply the CANEUS principles of coordinated development to create a SEMATECH-like structure to promote the growth of the Small Satellite industry sector by bringing together all of the stakeholders, individuals and organizations that can benefit from a sustainable Small Satellite industry sector.  The SSWG will consider and prioritize the key technological elements required for the Small Satellite sector.  The elements will be defined in the context of compelling business models for creating and sustaining the sector.

By utilizing recent breakthroughs in nanotechnologies and micro-electrical mechanical systems, the Small Satellites developed through the coordination efforts of the CANEUS SSWG would be considered a ‘disruptive technology’ on par with the information technology revolution that has propelled new industries, services and capabilities for society.

This presentation offers a way forward to create and sustain a robust Small Satellite industry sector, the stakeholders of which being drawn from several countries on a shared task, collaborative basis.

Abstract document

IAC-08.B4.7.8.pdf

Manuscript document

IAC-08.B4.7.8.pdf (🔒 authorized access only).

To get the manuscript, please contact IAF Secretariat.