Today marks 50 years since the launch of a small - 100Kg Satellite "Sputnik" in 1957 and its impact on the humanity worldwide.
As the Washington Post reported yesterday, "one result of Sputnik had nothing to do with space. It was the creation of the Pentagon's Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency, a technology think tank that went on to develop a computer network called Arpanet. Arpanet evolved into the Internet".
"Sputnik and its aftermath are a familiar tale at this point – the story of a fat and happy superpower suddenly finding itself in a full-blown existential crisis but shaking free of its torpor, revamping science and math education, and winning the race to the moon."
The Satellite industry is undergoing through similar revolution, as we look to next 50 Years – 2057. Since Sputnik, 50 Years of "Small" to "Large" Satellites Sputnik was a small satellite weighing approximately100 kg. With the ever-increasing demand for space applications and services, by mid eighties, the size of satellites have grown from a hundred kg to several tons, a scale that few small or developing countries can afford.
Next 50 Years – Era of Small Satellite?
Now, with the advancements in emerging micro and nano-technologies, the trend towards smaller-sized spacecraft and enhanced capability is increasing.
The use of smaller satellites has gained great momentum, with interest from military, civil, commercial and academic space programs worldwide. New manufacturing techniques and new applications have meant that much smaller, much cheaper space platforms are in demand, now more than ever.
Worldwide Race
Emerging companies such as CANEUS NPS of Canada, Angstrom Aerospace of Sweden, SSTL of UK and Microsat of USA, are attempting to seize on this opportunity and provide advanced small satellite platforms and new satellite services, ushering a transformation in the satellite industry.
The current state of the international small satellite industry is also very fragmented; numerous governments and private agencies run sub-critical, small satellite programs with very little communication between these groups. Furthermore, many component and sub-system developers are not familiar with small satellite end-user needs and customer requirements. There is alsoconcern that there exists a lack of transparency between developers and end-users.
Standards: Europe and the USA on Different Path?
One aspect particularly striking so far, is the fact that this is a 99% US effort is evolving to space wire plug and play (PnP), and in particular the development of the SPA standard, while ESA and the Europeans are shooting for CCSDS-SOIS standard. This is a clear example of Europe and the US sides running different ways rather than collaborate early on achieving a common solution.
The goal of the newly established international Small Satellite Working Group, originating from Canada, is to mitigate and harmonize the standards being developed. This global forum will push hard for a easy understandable, easy implemented common standard for various hardware and software protocols that allow rapid assembly and simulation of any new satellite, independently on its place of origin.
Canada's Unique Position
Canada is uniquely placed with its geo-political position and unique capabilities both in nanotechnology and space industry in offering end-to-end satellite mission services via low-cost, small-satellites; notably, being offered by the innovative Canadian small satellite manufacturer CANEUS NPS.
These satellites range in size from 100g to 150kg, and will be mass manufactured and rapidly deployable. Building on a strong foundation of emerging micro and nano technologies (MNT) and novel spacecraft architectures, CANEUS NPS Inc. is offering to make access to space affordable and on-demand for many potential customers.
International Small Satellite Advocacy Group
A Small Satellite International Working Group was recently established under the auspices of the Global CANEUS organization, in order to open up the market for small satellites and facilitate dialogue between the many stakeholders in the industry;it is necessary to create an international consortium for the coordination and standardization of the small satellite industry.
The CANEUS Small Satellite Working Group with participants and operations in the USA, Canada Europe, Japan, Brazil and South Africa, aims to take an approach similar to that designed for the semiconductor industry.
This worldwide forum focuses on providing opportunities for industry representatives to participate in cutting-edge technical discussions, while also establishing the future direction of the small satellite industry. By actively participating in establishing standards, stakeholders can influence important industry trends. Companies engaged in current industry dialogue can decrease manufacturing costs, increase reliability and productivity, and enjoy increased access to customers, end-users, and the global market.
This International advocacy Group, a global non-profit membership organization, aims to mitigate risk collectively for all participants by investigating the various operating modes and business models for small satellite operations, including space technology validation, satellite constellations, and launch on demand. It further emphasizes the identification of end-users of small satellite missions and their specific needs; collaborate to establish how the small satellite industry can respond to these mission or product requirements. This will have the effect of opening up the small satellite market and providing business and investment opportunities by facilitating dialogue and the establishment of cooperative relationships. |
