CubeSats and Small Satellites

CubeSats and other small satellites have advanced from being perceived as toys and only suitable for educational purposes to robust platforms for conducting space missions. They have been used for commercial [1, 2] and government andmilitary [3, 4] purposes, in addition to bona fide science [5, 6] and educational purposes [7, 8]. Constellations of small satellites are currently being deployed for imaging and other data collection purposes. Small satellites have also served as testbeds for numerous innovative concepts, mitigating risk and preparing them for prospective use in other space missions. With the incredible growth in a small spacecraft—and the proximal launch of the 1,000 CubeSat [9], there are still numerous logistical and technical considerations that need to be explored. The discipline is still quite young as well: questions of nomenclature [10], licensing, deorbiting, and producing orbital debris abound. Some look at small satellites as harbingers of a new space age; others—perhaps—are more concerned with the potential that they may harm a more expensive spacecraft.