Satellites used to be large, bulky and designed for just one specific purpose and only one use. However, in recent years, spacecraft have become reusable and multipurpose, avoiding the need for creating an entire system for just one purpose. A notable example of this is SpaceX's Crew Dragon, whose development continues to prepare the spacecraft to bring NASA astronauts to the International Space Station next year.
Similarly, satellites, too, have become much smaller and less specialized. These modern satellites, a mere fraction of the size and weight of traditional satellites, allow for greater flexibility both in their development, deployment, and operation after launch.
Smaller Satellites, Bigger Systems
These smallsats are quite literally small satellites that tend to be under 500 kg. For reference, the Tesla Model X weighs about 2500 kg, but at least the Model X can stream Youtube and Netflix. At 500 kg, these miniaturized smallsats tend to be cheaper, easier to mass-produce, and can be launched in sets of multiples.
Of course, they also tend to have less individual capability than their larger counterparts, as well as being unable to use more powerful combustion propulsion systems. Instead, they rely on electric propulsion, compressed gas, or under forms of propulsion that does not need large surface areas to dissipate heat.
Their benefits, however, are often due to their numbers. Because they are cheaper, smaller, and can be launched in large quantities, they can be used in the tens of thousands to deploy a large system of satellites working together for one purpose. SpaceX Starlink has already been greenlit to deploy 12,000 satellites in his plan to bring worldwide internet connectivity through low-orbit satellites, and Elon Musk has plans to bring up to 30,000 more. Ideally, SpaceX's Starlink will be able to provide satellite-based connectivity to the Southern States before the hurricane season in 2020. The quick deployment of the Starlink constellation will allow for better emergency response despite possible damage to fiber-optic cables and cellphone towers.
Even Smaller than Small Satellites
A SlashGear report features plans for satellites under 220 pounds (100 kg). These satellites, a project by Japan's JAXA and designed by Mitsubishi, will be used for "...in-orbit verifications and demonstrations of equipment, parts, and microsatellites developed by private companies, universities or other entities."
These satellites are slated to be launched sometime before March 2022 and will be launched using an Epsilon Launch Vehicle in Uchinoura Space Center, Kagoshima Prefecture, Japan. Of course, the development of these satellites has also been receiving mixed reception, as small satellite constellations tend to obstruct the night sky, much to the dismay of astronomers. This is a problem that SpaceX hopes to resolve in time for their next batch of Starlink satellites.
Featured in an article by Wired, similar projects continue to be developed to push the limits of small satellites. Launched sometime before, Excite pushed the limits of the small satellite technology and developed how they work together to create large systems, and they continue to develop the technology for missions involving climate-change research.
As a whole, NASA, Darpa, as well as private companies such as NovaWurks and SpaceX continue to develop satellites in a trend that pushes for smaller, lighter, satellites in greater numbers to push the ever more connected world. But before this continues, hopefully, they solve how these smallsat constellations pollute the night sky with light first.
