Catalog

Technical programme

IAC-10 — 61st International Astronautical Congress

B4. SMALL SATELLITE MISSIONS SYMPOSIUM

This Symposium, organised by the International Academy of Astronautics (IAA), addresses Small Satellite programmes for Commerce and Science & Technology, encompassing space science, earth observation, and exploration missions; and focusing on results achieved, as well as plans for new missions. The Symposium also addresses five areas across the entire spectrum of small satellite missions – design and technology, cross-platform compatibility, planning for and executing cost-effective operations, affordable and reliable space access, and implementing small satellite programmes in developing countries.

Coordinator

Rhoda Shaller Hornstein
— United States

Alex da Silva Curiel
Surrey Satellite Technology Ltd (SSTL) — United Kingdom

B4.1. 11th UN/IAA Workshop on Small Satellite Programmes at the Service of Developing Countries

This workshop is organized jointly by the United Nations Office for Outer Space Affairs (UN/OOSA) and the International Academy of Astronautics (IAA). It shall review the needs that could be satisfied and results achieved by developing nations through using small satellites. National space plans and examples of application results and benefits shall be included. The workshop shall also review benefits of international cooperation and transferring technology and lessons learned from space developed countries.

Chairman

Sias Mostert
Space Commercial Services Holdings (Pty) Ltd — South Africa

Sergei Chernikov
United Nations Office for Outer Space Affairs — Austria

Rapporteur

Petr Lala
Czech Space Office — Czech Republic

Pierre Molette
— France

B4.2. Small Space Science Missions

This session will address the current and near-term approved small missions whose objective is to achieve scientific returns in the fields of Earth science, solar, interplanetary, planetary, astronomy/astrophysics observations, and fundamental physics. Emphasis will be given to results achieved, new technologies and concepts, and novel management techniques.

Chairman

Stamatios Krimigis
The Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory — United States

Denis J.P. Moura
Centre National d'Etudes Spatiales (CNES) — France

B4.3. Small Satellite Operations

This session covers the planning for, and execution of, cost-effective approaches for Small Satellite Operations, with emphasis on new missions with new models of operation. Papers addressing innovation, an entrepreneurial approach to new business opportunities, novel finance and business models, management techniques, and international cooperation in support of Small Satellite Operations are particularly encouraged. Papers that discuss the application of novel technology to mission operations, such as automation and autonomy, constraint resolution, and timeline planning, as well as reports on missions recently accomplished and lessons learned, are also welcome.

Chairman

Peter M. Allan
STFC — United Kingdom

Karen McBride
University of California, Los Angeles — United States

B4.4. Small Satellites Potential for Future Integrated Applications and Services

This session seeks contributions that address new satellite missions, instruments, lessons learned, or plans for future small satellites, instruments, or missions. Small satellite missions are found in an ever widening range of disciplines – these missions cover the gamut from astronomy to earth sciences. Data from space missions are collected and distributed through space and ground-based systems. The goal of an integrated system is to provide the right information at the right place and at the right time in a cost-effective manner. Including a space-based element in an integrated application may enable that application, or even provide a unique and powerful enhancement to the services provided. Contributions that address the need to go beyond the traditional mission oriented (or vertical) organization and provide a service that integrates information from ground and space-based sources (the horizontal or distributed domain) are particularly encouraged.

Chairman

Larry Paxton
The Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory — United States

Amnon Ginati
European Space Agency (ESA) — The Netherlands

Rapporteur: Klaus Briess
Technische Universität Berlin — Germany

B4.5. Access to Space for Small Satellite Missions

A key challenge facing the viability and growth of the small satellite community is affordable and reliable space access. This is achieved through dedicated launches, ride-shares, piggyback launches, and spacecraft propulsion technologies to reach final operational orbit. Topics of interest for this session include utilization of dedicated launches, ride-share systems, auxiliary payload systems, separation and dispenser systems, and small spacecraft sub-system development that will enable efficient small satellite access to space and orbit change (e.g., propulsion systems). Includes lessons learned from users on technical and programmatic approaches. For a discussion of small launchers concepts and operations, please refer to session D2.7.

Chairman

Alex da Silva Curiel
Surrey Satellite Technology Ltd (SSTL) — United Kingdom

Jeff Emdee
The Aerospace Corporation — United States

B4.6A. Design and Technology for Small Satellites

This session covers the design and technology required and developed for Small Satellites (typical mass 10-100 kg) and small satellite systems. Real-life examples are particularly encouraged, both recently launched and shortly to be launched (next 3 years).

Chairman

Richard Holdaway
Rutherford Appleton Laboratory — United Kingdom

Philip Davies
Surrey Satellite Technology Ltd (SSTL) — United Kingdom

B4.6B. Design and Technology for Nano-Sats and Cube-Sats

This session covers the design and technology required and developed for Nano/Cube Satellites (typical mass less than 10 kg) and nano/cube satellite systems. Real-life examples are particularly encouraged, both recently and shortly to be launched (next 3 years).

Chairman

Richard Holdaway
Rutherford Appleton Laboratory — United Kingdom

Philip Davies
Surrey Satellite Technology Ltd (SSTL) — United Kingdom

B4.7. Space Systems and Architectures Featuring Cross-Platform Compatibility

Ideas are solicited for Modular, Reconfigurable, Adaptable systems (spacecraft, ground systems and networks) that feature cross-platform compatibility. Applications are sought in Science, Exploration, Commerce, and other areas requiring fast system design, build, integration, test and flight. System-enabling plug-and-play interface definitions (mechanical, electrical, software and fluids) are particularly desirable.

Chairman

Jaime Esper
National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) — United States

Marco D'Errico
Seconda Universita' di Napoli — Italy

Rapporteur: Peter Mendham
— United Kingdom

B4.8. Hitchhiking to the Moon

The next few decades involve a dramatically increased interest in lunar exploration for the purpose of developing a permanent human and robotic presence on the Moon, both for science and space exploration objectives. This renewed interest is broad and international, involving space agencies from the USA, Europe, China, India, Japan, Russia, Germany, UK, and others. Recently, ISRO’s Chandrayaan spacecraft offered its platform as an opportunity to fly international instruments to the Moon; NASA’s Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter (LRO) spacecraft provided an opportunity for a secondary payload to the Moon, in the form of the LCROSS lunar impactor mission. In the future, it is expected that there will be more opportunities for ride-sharing or secondary or tertiary payload opportunities to be flown to the Moon. This session provides a forum for the exchange of ideas for such small payloads to be demonstrated at the Moon, by ‘Hitch-hiking a ride’ to the Moon. Examples of such payloads or missions include: micro-spacecraft orbiters, CubeSats, small probes, penetrators, micro-landers, hard-landers, micro-rovers, secondary payload surface science instruments, distributed network landers, and many more. The focus of this session is on mission concepts, technology readiness and ride-sharing requirements.

Chairman

Leon Alkalai
Mandala Space Ventures — United States

Rene Laufer
Luleå University of Technology — Sweden

Rapporteur: Adam Baker
Rocket Engineering Ltd. — United Kingdom