smallsats

Smallsats are artificial satellites with relatively small mass and volume. In common usage they refer to spacecraft up to about 500 kilograms, though some definitions extend to 1000 kilograms. A prominent subset is CubeSats, which use a standardized 10 by 10 by 10 centimeter unit (1U) and can be stacked to form 2U, 3U, 6U, or 12U configurations. Because of their size, smallsats are typically designed for rapid development and lower mission cost than larger satellites.

Smallsats serve a wide range of missions, including technology demonstration, Earth observation, communications, navigation, science experiments, and education. CubeSats have been used to test new sensors, propulsion concepts, or software, often by universities and startups that cannot afford large missions.

Many smallsats use modular platforms or bus architectures with commercial off-the-shelf components, rapid assembly, and standard interfaces. They frequently rely on launch vehicle deployers and operate in low Earth orbit, typically from about 300 to 600 kilometers, though some missions go higher for special purposes.

Rideshare launches and dedicated smallsat missions have reduced costs and shortened timelines. A typical project may take months to a few years from concept to deployment, and operations are often supported by ground stations and automated scheduling with data downlink.

Smallsats enable large constellations for communications, Earth observation, and science, but they also raise concerns about space debris, end-of-life disposal, and radio-frequency interference. Regulatory oversight and spectrum allocation are managed by national agencies and international bodies such as the ITU.