Introduction to Small Sats
Small satellite, also known as smallsats, are miniaturized satellites that typically weigh less than 500 kilograms. These low-cost satellites enable new space mission concepts that were not previously achievable with traditional large satellites. In recent years, smallsats have seen tremendous growth in applications and a proliferation of design concepts made possible by the miniaturization of technologies.
Types of Small Sats
CubeSats: One of the most common types smallsatelites are CubeSats. CubeSats have a standard form factor that is a 10cm cube. Multiple cubic units can be combined to create larger CubeSats in increments of 1U (10cm x 10cm x 10cm cube). Some common CubeSat sizes include 1U, 2U, 3U, 6U and 12U. They can be used for earth observation, technology demonstration, and science experiments.
Small Research Satellites: These smallsats typically weigh between 10-100 kilograms and are used for space science research missions including astrophysics, heliophysics, earth science and other planetary exploration. They provide relatively inexpensive platforms for scientists to conduct experiments and technology demonstration missions.
Mission Enhancers: Smallsats can be used as companion spacecraft or mission enhancers to augment larger space missions. For example, they can be used as pathfinders, to demonstrate new capabilities that are later incorporated into larger spacecraft.
Technology Demonstrators: Smallsats serve as low-cost platforms to test new space technologies including propulsion systems, power systems, communication hardware, structures, instruments and other subsystems. This helps advance technologies for future missions.
Benefits of Small Sats
Cost Effectiveness: Smallsats provide a significantly more cost-effective option for conducting space missions compared to traditional large satellites which can cost hundreds of millions of dollars to develop and launch. CubeSats in particular can be built and launched for a few million dollars at most.
Rapid Development Cycles: Building and launching smallsats involves less complexity and shorter development timelines. This enables an expedited design-build-test-launch cycle and facilitates frequent launches and technology infusion.
Improved Access to Space: The miniaturized nature of smallsats allow them to “piggyback” as secondary payloads on commercial and government rocket launches. This provides more launch opportunities and easier access to space compared to primary large satellites.
Disruptive Innovation: Smallsats are enabling new types of space missions like constellations of satellites and making space accessible to new non-traditional actors like startups, universities and citizen scientists. This is driving disruptive innovation across the space ecosystem.
Applications of Small Sats
Earth Observation: Small satellites equipped with optical and radar sensors are increasingly used for environmental monitoring, natural disaster management, agriculture monitoring and other civil and commercial applications. Notable examples are Planet Labs’ constellation of over 150 Doves.
Remote Sensing: Advances in miniaturized sensors and component technologies are driving new applications in remote sensing. This includes monitoring greenhouse gases, industrial pollution, ice sheets, vegetation etc.
Communications: Both dedicated communications smallsats and CubeSats relays are helping expand global broadband connectivity. Examples include Iridium satellite constellation and radio relay CubeSats.
Scientific Research: Low-cost smallsats enable participation of universities and citizen scientists in space research. This has driven new discoveries in astrophysics, planetary science, heliophysics and earth science through technology pathfinders.
Defense & Security: Militaries around the world are developing smallsat capabilities for tactical ISR, communication relays, and space situational awareness through technology scouts.
In conclusion, small satellites have transformed the landscape of space exploration by making it highly accessible. Through lower costs, frequent launch opportunities and innovative form factors, smallsats continue to democratize space and drive disruptive trends. They are spawning new space-based services and applications while accelerating technology development. Going forward, smallsats will play an increasingly dominant role across sectors in utilizing spaced-based perspectives and solutions.
One of the most fundamental principles in modern aeroplane control is thrust vector control.
A Thrust Vector System employs a dual-action system to simultaneously supply an aircraft with both aerodynamic lift and control.
After World War II, military forces discovered that employing a constant flow of air via a nozzle while rotating the wing at a high angle of attack produced a significant amount of thrust at the same time.
Controlling this thrust has also been discovered to be particularly effective in applications requiring high speeds and G-forces.
The F-15 uses a fan flow of air via a nozzle in front of a stabiliser to provide a steady stream of thrust, and its alternating swept-wing blade configuration is an example of a Thrust Vector Control System.A Thrust Vector Control System (TVC) for variable-structure output operation is employed to control the above system.
The system consists of three components: a Thrust Vector Optimizer, a Stabilizing Device, and a Burner/combustible feed system.
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