Small Satellites Missions and Applications

• Other Authors: Battistini, Simone (Editor), Graziani, Filippo (Editor), Pontani, Mauro (Editor)
• Format: Electronic Book Chapter
• Language: English
• Published: MDPI - Multidisciplinary Digital Publishing Institute 2023
• Subjects: Technology: general issues; History of engineering & technology; nanosatellite; attitude determination; passive magnetic stabilization; aerodynamic stabilization; thermal control systems; micro-satellite; heat pipes; radiators; thermal straps; infrared imagers; isostatic bipod mounts; LIDAR; PALT; HERA mission; a-thermalization; optical performance; multistage launch vehicles; ascent trajectory optimization; analytical performance evaluation; rocket staging; small satellite; LoRa; ground sensor terminal; store and forward; satellite IoT; capacity building; anomaly detection; BIRDS project; CubeSat; machine learning; electrical power system; electrical interface; scalability; bus system development; flexible integration; CubeSat structure; slot; efficient; mass production; small satellites; cubesat; rendezvous; docking; guidance; navigation; AlfaCrux LEOP; educational mission; amateur radio; pre-project preparation; design development; organizational and management model; life cycle of building; artificial intelligence; star trackers; resident space objects; convolutional neural network; segmentation; space situational awareness; space surveillance and tracking; optical images; in orbit validation; Low Earth orbit (LEO); elevation angle; satellite communications; smallsat; atmospheric correction; atmospheric aerosol; empirical basis; scene statistics; near real-time; CubeSats; magnetometer; on-orbit data; calibration; genetic algorithm
• Online Access: DOAB: download the publication; DOAB: description of the publication

In the last 20 years, two factors have revolutionized the way space missions and applications are conceived, namely an increased access to space guaranteed by new launch providers and advances in miniaturized technologies. These two factors have rapidly made small satellites a reliable tool for scientific, commercial, and educational activities in space. Acting as a part of a larger mission along with larger satellites, or even substituting the latter in some cases, small satellites have now become a reality in modern space missions. This Special Issue aims to address the recent advances in small satellites' technology and the resulting impact on space missions.