SELECTsats

SELECTsats, short for "Small Expendable Launch and Experiment Testbeds," are a series of small, low-cost satellites designed to test and demonstrate new technologies and concepts in space. Developed by NASA's Ames Research Center, these satellites are part of the Small Spacecraft Technology Program, which aims to advance the capabilities of small spacecraft for scientific and exploration missions.

SELECTsats are typically launched as secondary payloads on larger missions, allowing them to piggyback on existing launch vehicles. This approach reduces the cost and complexity of launching individual small satellites. The primary goal of SELECTsats is to provide a platform for testing new technologies, such as propulsion systems, communication methods, and scientific instruments, in the space environment.

These satellites are often used for technology demonstration missions, where the primary objective is to validate and refine new technologies before they are integrated into larger, more complex spacecraft. SELECTsats have contributed to the development of various technologies, including advanced solar panels, small satellite propulsion systems, and innovative communication techniques.

The success of SELECTsats has paved the way for the use of small satellites in a wide range of applications, from Earth observation and climate monitoring to deep space exploration. By providing a cost-effective means of testing and demonstrating new technologies, SELECTsats play a crucial role in advancing the field of small spacecraft and expanding the capabilities of space exploration.