by 
Small satellites have been around for decades but recent technological advancements have made them more capable than ever before. These miniature satellites offer a low-cost alternative to traditional large satellites and are revolutionizing how we explore and understand space.
The Rise of Smallsats
Smallsats first emerged in the 1960s as engineering experiments but recent advances in miniaturized technologies have made them a viable option for all kinds of space missions. From Earth observation to communications and space science, smallsats are being used to complete tasks that were traditionally reserved for much larger satellites.
Several factors have contributed to the rise of smallsats in recent years:
Lower Costs
Smallsats are vastly cheaper to design, build and launch compared to traditional large satellites. Miniaturized components have allowed satellites to shrink in size while still being capable of valuable scientific work. A typical smallsat mission may cost just a few million dollars compared to hundreds of millions for a large satellite. This lower barrier to entry has opened up space opportunities to more universities, research institutions and companies.
Increased Access to Space
The rise of commercial smallsat launch services has further fueled the smallsat revolution. Companies like Rocket Lab, Virgin Orbit and Firefly Aerospace now offer affordable and frequent smallsat launch opportunities on dedicated small rockets. Rideshares and piggyback launches have also expanded options for getting smallsats into space. This access has enabled the rapid growth of constellations for communications, Earth observation and more.
Advances in Technology
Technology miniaturization has been crucial in making smallsats useful. Sensors, computers, power systems and propulsion have all gotten smaller and more efficient. Multispectral and hyperspectral imaging payloads, onboard data processing, electric propulsion and others allow smallsats to conduct research on par with much larger satellites. The sky is increasingly not the limit for what these miniature satellites are capable of.
The Growing Role of Smallsats
With an estimated 50-80 smallsats launching every month, they are playing an increasingly important role across industries:
Earth Observation
Smallsat constellations like Planet’s and BlackSky’s are revolutionizing how we monitor the Earth. Their frequent revisit times and global coverage help study issues like agriculture, deforestation, natural disasters and more. Startups are also specialized smallsats for hyperspectral sensing, synthetic aperture radar and other applications.
Communications
Companies like OneWeb, SpaceX and Amazon are deploying large constellations of smallsats in low Earth orbit to provide global high-speed internet access. These constellations have connectivity potential even in remote areas. Smallsats are also proving useful for cellular backhaul and military communications.
Space Science and Exploration
Space agencies use smallsats for technology demonstrations, astrobiology experiments and other science goals. Swarms of smallsats called ”CubeSats” study the Sun, measure radiation levels and more. In the future, they could be used for planetary exploration missions at lower costs. constellations in low Earth orbit to provide global high-speed internet access. These constellations have connectivity potential even in remote areas. Smallsats are also proving useful for cellular backhaul and military communications.
Challenges and the Road Ahead
While offering huge potential, smallsats still face some hurdles:
Reliability and Lifespan
Smallsats have less robust designs than large satellites and face reliability issues due to proportionately greater effects of temperature shifts, vibrations and more. Their small sizes also mean limited capacity for fuel to maintain orbits and power systems for longer missions. Deorbiting defunct smallsats to avoid space debris is another concern.
Regulatory Issues
As smallsat constellations scale up rapidly, regulating satellite operations and spectrum allocation becomes more complex. Agencies are updating rules to balance innovation with safety, interference and sustainability standards for growing satellite populations in orbit.
Coordination in Orbital Traffic
With global satellite populations set to multiply in coming years, the risk of collisions will rise unless precise coordination of spacecraft locations and maneuvers improves. Novel Management techniques like cooperatives monitoring of orbits and automated collision avoidance will be required to maintain safety in low Earth orbit and beyond.
While Smallsats still have growing pains, focused engineering efforts and collaboration between industry, researchers and agencies will help maximize their tremendous potential. As the key enabling technologies continue advancing rapidly, small satellites may revolutionize how we explore space in this new decade and reshape our access to space forever. They undoubtedly represent the future of the new space age.
*Note:
1. Source: Coherent Market Insights, Public sources, Desk research
2. We have leveraged AI tools to mine information and compile it
