Shape of U: A Brief Introduction to CubeSats
“Honey, I shrunk the Satellites……”
A satellite the size of a shoebox was introduced in 1999 by two professors: Jordi Puig-Suari of California Polytechnic State University and Bob Twiggs of Stanford University. They were trying to help students gain engineering experience in satellites, which are traditionally expensive to build and launch. Inspired by the craze of individualized stuffed animals back in the day, their idea was to allow students to build their own miniature satellites.
A CubeSat is a square-shaped satellite, with a standardized size and dimensions i.e., a unit or simple “U” (10 cm x 10 cm x 10 cm, weighing less than 1.33 kg) is taking over the space industry making access to space even easier and cheaper not only for big nations but also private companies like SatRevolution, EnduroSat, NanoAvionics, Planet Labs, etc.
Small, but capable
The standardized size of CubeSats highly reduces complexity and cuts costs. Not only when it comes to the launching and transportation. The fact that each CubeSat is designed according to specific design requirements complexity and offers benefits such as cost savings through economies of scale, easy integration, and improved efficiency.
CubeSats reduce launch costs in two fundamental ways. They do not weigh that much, which means a rocket does not need a lot of fuel to heft them. In most cases, they also share a rocket with a larger satellite, making it possible to get to space on the coattails of the heavier payload.
The first six CubeSats were launched in June 2003 from Russia’s Plesetsk launch site. CubeSats were made possible by the ongoing miniaturization of electronics, which allows instruments such as cameras to ride into orbit at a fraction of the size of what was required at the beginning of the space age in the 1960s.
CubeSats are more accessible to users on the far side of government and commercial agencies and industries that have historically been leaders in satellite development and launch. These new users embrace universities, small countries and their space agencies, student science teams, and start-ups. CubeSats' role in broadening participation in and consequently expanding access to space exploration has a variety of benefits for science and society, including:
- Improved science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) education: CubeSats offers students active learning opportunities in aerospace engineering.
- New varieties of research: Standard satellites are expensive and take a long time to build. For this reason, they are generally used for low-risk missions. On the other hand, CubeSats can be used for exploratory, high-risk research — such as NASA’s studies of bacteria genetics in space and deep space exploration — because of their inexpensive and fast development.
- Accelerated innovation: CubeSats alter new users from across totally different disciplines to contribute their concepts, ideas, and unique skills to small satellite designs.
- Public engagement: CubeSats' accessibility allows members of the public more autonomy over the research questions they address. For example, citizen scientists use CubeSats to conduct experiments of interest in space, including those that broaden our understanding of Earth. The opportunity for the public to engage with and shape research agendas can strengthen the connection between science and society.
CubeSats have broadened access for several totally different teams of individuals, giving the opportunities of space exploration to new players with new ideas and research which may otherwise not be explored.
Moving outside of Earth Orbit
Starting in 2018, CubeSats began to venture outside of Earth's orbit. NASA launched one such successful mission on 5th May 2018 wherein a spacecraft called InSight landed on Mars on 26th Nov. 2018. Traveling along with it were two CubeSats, the first of this kind of spacecraft to fly to deep space. The CubeSats were part of a technology demonstration mission called Mars Cube One (MarCO). The spacecraft provided an experimental communications relay to let scientists on Earth know quickly about InSight’s landing. MarCO A and B successfully completed their missions on 26th Nov. 2018.
What’s next?
CubeSats' growth additionally exposes current challenges and creates new ones. For instance, it has led to several challenges such as an increase in orbital debris, issues in Radiofrequency spectrum management, and rendezvous and proximity operations.
CubeSat's accessibility has enabled its growth and benefited various communities. They have created opportunities for new research and accelerated innovation. However, as space becomes more crowded, it becomes more essential that we come up with sustainable methods to address these concerns and word on them to include unique aspects of CubeSats and small satellites. Ultimately, addressing these challenges will promote the democratization of space, while also bolstering its security and health.
References:
[2]: CubeSats: Tiny Payloads, Huge Benefits for Space Research | Space
[3]: In Depth | Mars Cube One — NASA Solar System Exploration
[4]: The Rise of Cubesats: Opportunities and Challenges | Wilson Center
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