CubeSats are small satellites that are used in the low Earth orbit and interplanetary missions. These satellites have been around for approximately 15 years and were first used for low Earth orbit CubeSat missions like communications and remote sensing. However, a pair of CubeSat camera satellites were deployed on a mission to Mars; similarly, others were used for Jupiter and moon missions.
Bob Twiggs of Standford University and Jordi Puig-Suari of California Polytech State University conceived the design of the first modern CubeSat nanosatellite in the late 1990s. These professors were trying to help students gain experience in satellites, which were too expensive and large to build. Hence, they encouraged their students to construct individual miniature satellites.
Most of these satellites are not larger than 4-inches; they also weigh approximately up to 3-lbs. The size and weight of the satellite depend on the difficulty level of the mission. CubeSats reduce the launch costs in two important ways – one, you do not require a lot of fuel to launch a CubeSat. Also, they can share a rocket with a larger satellite.
Brief History
Six CubeSats were launched in 2003 from the Plesetsk launch site in Russia. This CubeSat launch cost approximately $40,000, which was quite a bargain when compared to the normal cost (in millions!) of launching a traditional satellite. Due to the miniaturization of electronics, engineers were able to fit instruments like cameras to be launched into orbit. These cameras were a fraction of the size of what it was during the 1960s. When you look into a CubeSat, you will find satellite navigation and GPS units, digital cameras, microchips, and modem ports.
Since the inception of the first CubeSats, most of them were initially used for research or university applications. However, more satellites started to launch around 2013; the commercial sector began launching satellites this year as well.
New technologies started to get integrated with the CubeSats. For instance, NASA’s parachute project helped small satellites land without requiring additional boosters. Similarly, other high-profile projects were announced to the public sector, like using a satellite by the public radio station called NPR, swarms of CubeSats for Earth Observation by NASA, etc.
According to statistics, there were more than 2,100 CubeSats and nanosatellites in the Earth’s orbit. Some of the most prominent ones include:
- An Earth Observation company, Planet Labs, launched more than a dozen nanosatellites like Rapid Eye CubeSats and Dove satellites. These satellites had the best CubeSat camera resolution and were used for almost every purpose, ranging from climate monitoring to disaster response.
- The CubeSat Launch Initiative by NASA provided launch slots for CubeSats abroad conventional rocket launches.
- The NanoRacks CubeSat Deployer launches nanosatellites after they are placed abroad on a visiting ISS vehicle.
However, there was also a catch – the popularization of the CubeSat satellites could lead to a lot of junk in the low-Earth orbit since researchers and companies are racing towards their goals without caring much for the long-term consequences. A company from the US launched many nanosatellites without permission.
Why Is It Important To Launch A CubeSat?
A CubeSat camera is an off-the-shelf imaging system designed typically for Earth Observation missions; however, there have been developments for interplanetary uses. Modern CubeSats have been designed to consist of components that allow more integration and flexibility to the camera, thereby allowing it to be used for different types of missions. Additionally, the customers also have a pocket-friendly and quick launch option.
The international satellite imagery sector is a potentially large growth area; there has been a significant increase in high-resolution imagery demand. This market has grown from US$1.6 billion in 2014 to roughly US$3.5 billion today.
The CubeSat uses in Earth Observation have increased the value of the satellite EO market, which may even cross US$350 million in the next six years. Sectors that use Earth Observation satellite imagery include government uses, energy and civil engineering, agriculture, disaster monitoring, insurance, and security and defense.
There are several image providers – for instance, Planet is a company that manufactures CubeSats explicitly designed for high temporal resolution Earth Observation images. Of course, you also have the option of fitting commercial imaging systems into a CubeSat satellite; however, they mainly offer photos with low spatial resolution, which makes them unfit for Earth Observation applications.
Apart from Earth Observation, CubeSat hyperspectral imager systems also have the potential for interplanetary uses. Some of the possible applications include observing landscapes and weather systems of Mars, observing the meteoroid environment on the Moon, or monitoring the geological activity of solar system bodies like Europa.
Final Thoughts on The CubeSat Camera
Overall the projected applications for a CubeSat camera are wide-ranging, thanks to the potential for future developments and design flexibility. These camera satellites have a wide range of EO applications and have been designed specifically for this purpose. However, they can also be used for other applications, and future developments will explore this potential. It is anticipated that such systems could be used for terrestrial applications like monitoring nuclear waste and interplanetary missions like observing the landscape and weather systems of Mars.
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