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 Citizen
Explorer (CX-1), 1999- A University of Colorado 45kg microsatellite for space education, manifested on a DELTA-7320-10,
was originally to be
launched from VAFB together with EO-1, SAC-C and the Munin nanosatellite.
[Citizen Explorer at University
of Colorado]
- Minerva
- Minerva is a student micro-satellite project at Sierra College, US. The satellite will
measure 430 x 430 x 355mm, and will weight less than 50kg. It is planned for launch in
1998, and aims to provide an educational tool for students.
{Minerva at Sierra College]
- KTHSat
- KTHSAT is a student 20-50kg micro-satellite project at the Royal Institute of Technology
in Stockholm, Sweden. The satellite was due for launch in 1999.
[KTHSat at RIT Sweden]
- MOST
- MOST (Micro-variability and Oscillations of STars) is an astronomical micro-satellite
mission proposed by Dynacon Enterprises Ltd. in
Canada, planned for launch in late 2002. Also participating in the mission are the
University of Toronto's institute for Aerospace studies, and the physics and astronomy
department of the University of British Colombia. The project is sponsored by the Canadian
Space Agency's Small Payloads Program. The spacecraft is to be launched into a 780km
dawn-dusk sun-synchronous orbit, in order to permit observations of up to 8 weeks for a
single object of interest, using a 150mm telescope photometer.
MOST will also include the LEAST Lots of Extra Amateur Stuff on the Telescope
package for the radio amateur community. It includes an L/S band transponder
and Digital Signal Processor. More...
[CSA press release, details][MOST
at Dynacon][MOST at UBC]
References
[1] "MOST:A Space astronomy microsatellite mission", K.Caroll
et all, AMSAT journal Jan/Feb 1998
[2] "The MOST Microsatellite Mission: Canada's first space
telescope", 12th AIAA/USU small satellite conference, SSC98-VI-6.
[3] "MOST: A space astronomy microsatellite missions", 11th
AIAA/USU small satellite conference.
[4] "Modular Attitude Control system for microsatellites with stringent
pointing requirements", 13th AIAA/USU small satellite conference,
SSC00-VIII-6.
[5] " Canada's First Space Telescope to Ride a Rockot" ("http://www.spacedaily.com/news/most-01a.html")
- ORCA
- The Orbital Radio Communications Asset is a 50-75kg microsatellite being developed by
Iowa students and industry under funding from the Iowa Space Grant Consortium. The
satellite is to characterise the radio spectrum below 2.5GHz in search of under utilised
frequency bands and experiment with more efficient modulation schemes and protocols. The
satellite is being designed for launch on a Pegasus-XL launcher in 2000.
- 3-Corner
Constellation (3-satellites)
- AFRL/DARPA/NASA sponsored constellation of 3 nanosatellites to be launched on the Space
Shuttle in 2002. Design teams are Arizona State University, University of Colorado, and
New Mexico State University. The satellites are expected to weight 15kg each. They will be
launched into a 380km 51 degree inclined orbit.
-
- ION-F
(3-satellites)
- The ionospheric Observation Nanosatellite Formation (ION-F) is a AFRL/DARPA/NASA
sponsored constellation of 3 nanosatellites to be launched on the Space Shuttle in 2002.
Design teams are University of Washington, Utah State University and Virginia
Polytechnic and State University (HokieSat). The spacecraft are expected to weigh 15kg and measure
0.3x0.5m diameter. They will be launched into a 380km 51 degree inclined orbit.
The hexagonally shaped DawkStar weighs 18.2kg and measures 450mm in diameter
and 300mm tall. It includes a propulsion system comprising eight Pulsed
Plasma Thrusters (PPT). HokieSat is larger and carries just two PPT. The
spacecraft will fly in formation at distances between 1.5km to 5km, with an
expected accuracy of 100m.
More...
[DawkStar home
page][University Nanosat programme]
References
[1] World's smallest self-propelled satellite nearly ready for Air
Force, NASA, 2Nov2001 ["http://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2001-11/uow-wss110201.php"]
[2] World's Smallest Self-Propelled Satellite Set For Delivery To Air Force,SpaceDaily,
2 Nov 2001, ["http://www.spacedaily.com/news/nanosat-01e.html"]
- Nanosatellite
Constellation Trailblazer (3-satellites)
- The Nanosat Constellation Trailblazer mission is the next mission selected under the
NASA New Millennium programme. It will comprise 3 octagonal satellites of 19kg each
measuring 0.2m x 0.4m diameter. Eight new technologies are to be demonstrated including
communications, navigation software, GPS receiver, microelectronics and Li-Ion batteries,
and MEMS technology. The mission is awarded under a US$28m contract including US$5m for
launch in 2003. The spacecraft are aimed to be the forerunner of a much larger
constellation planned for future scientific missions.
To be manifested
- [No known name], INPE
- INPE is reported to be planning a 50kg microsatellite project with CNES France for
launch in 1998.
- ALP-SAT
- ALP-SAT is a joint Swiss-Austrian proposed scientific microsatellite project for launch
on the ARIANE-5 ASAP into GTO. The spacecraft will be placed in a halo orbit about the L1
Earth-Sun LaGrange point in order to observe the sun. The spacecraft is expected to weight
90-100kg, is box shaped to fit within 600x600x800mm. It will carry a hydrazine propulsion
system for orbit transfer and maintenance for 10 years. The spacecraft is expected to be
built by the Swiss Oerlikon-Contraves Space company in Zurich.
- ESSAIM
- Meaning "Swarm" in French, this is a trio of ELINT satellites for the French DOD
(DGA). The microsatellites are to
be built by ASTRIUM and are based on the Myriade bus. The programme is a follow on based on the CERISE
and CLEMENTINE missions, and is reported to be
experimental with some operational capabilities.
- BlueSAT
- A microsatellite project by the University of New South Wales in Australia in close
cooperation with ASRI and QUT (Australia). The spacecraft will employ the AMSAT-NA
microsat cube, but with a redesigned power, on-board data handling and communications
system. The spacecraft will also carry a GPS receiver.
[BlueSat homepage][BlueSat]
- BUSAT
- BUSAT, A Boston University
satellite project.
- CESAR-1
- CESAR-1 is an AMSAT-Chile
microsatellite project, based on the AMSAT microcube being developed by
Universidad de La Frontera. The spacecraft includes a store and forward
transponder in theVHF/UHF radio amateur band. A digital voice processor, a
GPS receiver and a L/S band transponder are also planned to be included. The
spacecraft is expected to cost US$575k which has been raised through voluntary
contributions. More...
[CESAR site in Spanish]
- FalconSat-2
- The Falconsat-2 mission by the US Air Force Academy is to build on the earlier launch
of FalconSat, but to launch into GTO and use a propulsion system to remotely inspect a
rocket upper stage. The propulsion system is to use the electrolysis of Water to generate
an oxygen and hydrogen supply. More...
[Falconsat-2 at
the USAFA]
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- GANDER
constellation
- A constellation of 16 altimetry satellites being jointly developed as a commercial
venture by SSTL and SOS (UK) in a US$160m system. The platform is expected to weigh 90kg
and the spacecraft will carry a Ku band altimeter. The constellation will offer daily
global Significant Wave Height and wind speed maps, and sea state alarms.
More...
[SOS][SSTL]
- Hypersat.
- A Japanese 50kg technology development mission measuring 400x400x400mm, to be launched
into a 500kg orbit inclined at 45degrees using a piggyback ride on an H-IIA launcher. The
spacecraft is to be 3-axis controlled and carries propulsion.
[1] AIAA/USU 1997, SSC97-III-6, "Program concept of
project hypersat", T.Fujita et all.
- ISAT
- ISAT is a student satellite project at Iowa State University and the University of Iowa.
[ISAT at
Iowa State University]
- JAESAT
(formerly JMSAT, JAMSAT, VKSAT)
- JAESAT (Joint Australian Engineering Satellite) is an AMSAT-NA 'Microsat'
class PACSAT spacecraft which aims to carry GPS and imaging payloads, which
are being developed in collaboration with institutions in Australia and the
Ukraine. When completed, the satellite will be launched from Baikonur aboard
a Dnepr launcher. More...
[ASRI small satellite
projects]
-
- MAELLE
- Maelle is an
AMSAT-France microsatellite project.
- ROCSAT-3
- A proposed constellation of microsatellites for global weather prediction
employing ionospheric sounding using GPS signals, to follow on
from the Taiwanese ROCSAT program. The spacecraft are contracted to be
manufactured by ORBITAL and to be launched on a Pegasus launcher. The
payload is called COSMIC, and is being developed by USRA. Other US air force
payloads may also be added. The first satellite (ROCSAT-1) in the programme was
launched in 1999.
[ROCSAT-3 at NSPO]
- SATEDU.
- A amateur radio microsatellite under development by AMSAT-France. The
spacecraft measures 300mm on each side and is expected to weigh 20kg.
Several educational institutions are involved in its design and
construction. More...
[Satedu pages][Spacecraft
paper kit!]
-
- SATEX-1.
- The SATEX microsatellite project co-ordinated by the Mexican Institute of Communications
the, consists of a series of microsatellites to mobilise human resources in space
technology and develop test beds. This first microsatellite built by this
multi-institutional team will be SATEX-1, to be carried into an 800km helio-synchronous
orbit on an ARIANE launcher. The aims will be education and training, and the development
of technology for future missions.
-
- SILA.
- A microsatellite being developed by Carleton University, Canada.
- Sissat
- Sissat is a proposed
constellation of microsatellites for magnetospheric monitoring.
- SPARTNIK
- SPARTNIK is a student 30kg
micro-satellite project by the San Jose University, California USA. The satellite will
carry a micro-meteorite detector, colour CCD camera and an amateur radio two channel voice
transponder. The satellite is reported to be nearly ready for launch (May 97). It will be
passively stabilised using permanent magnets, and controlled to spin using black and white
antennas acting as solar pressure paddles. Four hysteresis rods and a ring nutation damper
control the rates and axis of rotation.
[1] AIAA/USU 1997, SSC97-VI-2, "Dynamic modelling of
microsatellite SPARTNIK's Attitude", B.Menges et all.
- TUU-SAT.
- A microsatellite project by the National Central University in Taiwan (Taiwan-United
University Satellite). The Preliminary Design Revier (PDR) was held in front of an industry audience April 2nd 1996. A
potential launch "piggy-back" with RADARSAT-II.
- WEOS
- A Whale Ecology Observation Satelllite (WEOS) project by Chiba Institute of Technology
Japan won the IEIC Satellite Design Contest in 1993, and is
subsequently being implemented. The satellite is intended to be launched as a piggyback
payload on HIIA in 2002 into a LEO polar orbit. The spacecraft will track whales using attached
transponders which carries a data recorder for GPS position, sea temperature
and depth. Data is transferred when the whale surfaces and the spacecraft is
overhead. The spacecraft weighs 50kg, and is a 50cm cube. It carries an
S-band antenna for TT&C, UHF antenna (near 400MHz) for the link with the
probes, and employs a 3m gravity gradient boom to maintain Earth facing
orientation. More...
[WEOS home page
in Japanese]
-
References
[1] "Performance of WEOS Positioning System on
tracing Migration Pattern of whales evaluated by computer
simulation",Y.Okamoto, T.Hayashi, S.Hosokawa, K.Yokoyama, Small
Satellites for Earth Observation, 3rd symposium of the International Acedemy
of Astronautics, Berlin, Germany, April 2001
-
- Disaster
Monitoring Constellation, 2003
- A constellation of up to 5 microsatellite providing daily global access with a
32m
ground resolution multi-spectral imager, and 600km swath width. The platforms and instruments for the spacecraft
will be developed by Surrey Satellite Technology Ltd for international partners which so
far include the Algerian and Nigerian government, and one spacecraft will be sponsored by
the British National Space Centre under the MOSAIC programme. Other reported
participants are the Chinese and Vietnamese governments, and a Thai
University. The constellation will be launched on a series of COSMOS-3M vehicles,
and the first Algerian spacecraft has been
launched in late 2002.
References
[1] UK picks some winners for space funding, SpaceDaily, 25 July 2000, (http://www.spacer.com/news/microsat-00o.html)
[2] Surrey wins Algeria microsatellite contract, SpaceDaily, 17 August 2000, (http://www.spacedaily.com/news/microsat-00t.html)
[3] Nigeria to launch satellite in 2002 (http://www.ngrguardiannews.com/news2/nn802711.html)
[4] Space News 18Feb2002, "Rapideye moves ahead with
Earth Observation project"
[5] Surrey Buys Multiple Cosmos Rockets For Microsat Launches, SpaceDaily,
24 Jul 2002, (http://www.spacedaily.com/news/microsat-02m.html)
National microsatellite programmes
A number of governments have set up national small satellite programmes.
 Denmark- Small satellite programme by the Danish Space Research Institute following on from the
successful Ørsted mission. The proposed missions are all space science based: AXO, MONS,
BALLERINA and FACE-IT. More...
[Summary of proposals]
- France
- The CNES small satellite programme includes both micro and minisatellites. More...
[CNES magazine special on
microsatellites (PDF)]
- Germany
- The German Space Agency DLR has an active small
satellite programme.
- Italy
- ASI has an active small satellite programme.
- United Kingdom
- Small satellite programme (MOSAIC) by the British National Space Centre worth up to
UKP15m over the 2000-2002 timeframe. The funded missions include GEMINI, DMC, and TOPSAT.
"SMALL SATELLITE PROGRAMME
A £15m investment in the UK small satellite sector was announced by lord
Sainsbury on 13 December. The funding is intended to help transfer
the UK's world-leading capability in small satellites from the academic into
the scientific and commercial markets. The objective is to stimulate
industry to invest in small satellite missions, particularly for satellite
communications. This is the largest and most rapidly expanding market for
space products. The UK's expertise is particularly strong in
micro-satellites (less than 100kg) and in the enabling sensor and component
technologies. To build on this strength, and to secure the corresponding
user benefits, the UK is seeking through ESA and national activities to
provide support to UK companies for the development of key small satellite
technologies and payloads. The UK is also developing a new satellite
programme to co-fund additional initiatives such as a limited number of
small satellite missions focused on clear customer requirements. This
programme was headlined in the Space Strategy. There will be a further
announcement and launch on 10th January 2000."
More...
[Summary of proposals]
References
[1] UK picks some winners for space funding, SpaceDaily, 25 July 2000, (http://www.spacer.com/news/microsat-00o.html)
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