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Tiny satellites known as CubeSats are making significant contributions to space exploration despite their small size. Deployed from the International Space Station’s Kibo module, these compact satellites were delivered aboard the Northrop Grumman Cygnus spacecraft. Serving educational and research purposes, CubeSats are proving their value to both public and private organizations globally.
Typically weighing less than a bowling ball and often fitting snugly in one’s hand, CubeSats are influencing the field of space science in profound ways. These miniature, efficient, and cost-effective satellites are reshaping how researchers analyze the universe.
A standard CubeSat weighs in at about 4 pounds (approximately 2 kilograms). While some may be larger, with sizes up to four times the standard dimensions, others can weigh as little as one pound. This lightweight construction allows for innovative mission designs.
As a researcher well-versed in emerging space technology, I can assert that CubeSats provide a more straightforward and economical pathway to conduct space missions.
CubeSats tend to focus on a single scientific initiative, which can range from detecting exoplanets to monitoring asteroids. This focused approach, coupled with their low cost, opens up opportunities for startups, universities, and small institutions to participate in space exploration.
The Benefits of Smaller Satellites
The advantages presented by CubeSats compared to their larger counterparts are considerable. Their reduced development and testing costs translate to more frequent launches and diverse mission possibilities, lessening overall risk. This results in a faster pace of discoveries and advancements in space exploration.
CubeSats do not propel themselves. Instead, they are part of the payload on larger spacecraft, ejected into orbit using a spring mechanism. Once dispatched, they activate and operate until they re-enter the atmosphere, typically burning up before they reach the surface.
For instance, a group of students at Brown University successfully constructed a CubeSat in less than 18 months for under $10,000. This satellite, roughly the size of a loaf of bread, was designed to explore the growing issue of space debris and launched from a SpaceX rocket in May 2022.
A Shift in Satellite Research
The longstanding practice of launching satellites began in 1957 when the Soviet Union deployed Sputnik 1 into orbit. Currently, there are around 10,000 active satellites operational in various capacities, predominantly for communications, navigation, defense, or earth observation. Yet, only a fraction – less than 3% – are dedicated to space exploration.
However, this trend is changing as both small and large satellites enhance the framework for space research. These devices facilitate long-distance studies across our solar system where conventional human exploration or robotic landings are too costly or risky with existing technology.
The financial commitment required to create and launch large, traditional satellites is considerable. For perspective, NASA’s Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter, which launched in 2009, is approximately the size of a minivan and had a budget close to $600 million. Similarly, the Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter cost over $700 million, and the European Space Agency’s Solar Orbiter reached costs of $1.5 billion. The forthcoming Europa Clipper, which is set for a 2024 launch, has a projected cost of $5 billion.
Larger satellites, with their intricate designs, are also prone to potential failures, risking years of effort and vast financial investments. Quick losses in such missions can be devastating.
Pioneering New Discoveries
CubeSats, due to their compact size, can be launched in large quantities, further driving down costs. These satellites can work in unison as constellations, making simultaneous observations of shared phenomena.
For example, NASA’s Artemis I mission in November 2022 included the launch of 10 CubeSats designed to detect and map lunar water, which is crucial for future Artemis missions aimed at establishing a sustainable human presence on the Moon. The combined cost for these satellites was approximately $13 million.
The MarCO CubeSats accompanied NASA’s Insight lander on its journey to Mars in 2018, serving as critical communications relays and capturing photos of the Martian surface. The combined cost for these two satellites was around $20 million.
Additionally, CubeSats have expanded our knowledge about nearby stars and exoplanets. For instance, in 2017, NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory dispatched ASTERIA, a CubeSat that reconfirmed the existence of the exoplanet 55 Cancri e, situated roughly 41 light-years from Earth. This marked a milestone as ASTERIA became the smallest instrument to detect an exoplanet.
Looking ahead, notable missions involving CubeSats are on the horizon. The HERA mission is set to launch in October 2024, deploying the European Space Agency’s first deep-space CubeSats to study the Didymos asteroid system. Additionally, the M-Argo satellite, scheduled for launch in 2025, aims to independently examine an asteroid, marking a significant achievement for small-scale interplanetary exploration.
The ongoing advancements and substantial funding dedicated to CubeSat initiatives signal a promising future for humanity’s potential to become a multiplanetary species. Nevertheless, this journey will depend on the next generation of scientists to realize this ambitious goal.
Mustafa Aksoy, Assistant Professor of Electrical & Computer Engineering, University at Albany, State University of New York
This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article.
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www.astronomy.com