United NationsOffice for Outer Space Affairs

International Space University Space Studies Programme 2011
Team Project Small Satellites

Introduction

In 2011 the International Space University (ISU) Space Studies Programme (SSP) was held in Graz, Austria, from 11 July to 9 September. Participants at the SSP traditionally enroll in one of three Team Projects (TP). This year ISU cooperated with the United Nations Office for Outer Space Affairs on the Team Project Small Satellites.

The main objective of the Team Project was to develop the elements for a best practices guidebook for small satellite development that wouldl subsequently be made available through the United Nations to countries and organizations interested in establishing basic capacities for space technology development. The guidebook wouldl be based on the TP report finalized by the TP participants during the SSP and would be reviewed by an expert panel.

Distribution of the guidebook would be through the Basic Space Technology Initative (BSTI) implemented by the United Nations Office for Outer Space Affairs under the framework of the United Nations Programme on Space Applications. The objectives and work programme of the Initiative are described in document A/AC.105/2011/CRP.14.

For a complete description of TP Small Satellite, see the relevant pages in the ISU SSP2011 Handbook.

The guidebook and executive summary prepared by the SSP participants can be downloaded from the ISU Library.

download the guidebook

TP Personnel and Invited Experts

The TP was coordinated by the two co-chairs and by the TP teaching associate. In addition a number of experts were invited. The following table lists the names of the TP personel and invited experts, their attendance during the SSP, their expected contributions and presentations. Short biographies of the invited experts are included in the Bio-Book.

The experts were in particular expected to answer the following question: "if you were to develop a best practices guidebook for small satellite development, what would need to go into it to make it a fairly comprehensive and complete reference guide".

Preliminary Schedule of TP Sessions

Proposed contents of the guidebook

• State-of-the-art applications and general (cost-) benefits of nano- and small satellite projects for capacity building in space technology development;
• Infrastructure requirements for nano- and small satellite development projects;
• Technical issues-design, development and operation of small spacecraft (platforms, payloads, ground stations, assemblies, components, equipment along with suppliers);
• Programmatic, management issues (project management models, concurrent engineering, cost, schedule and risk issues);
• Relevant regulatory issues (space law, satellite registration, frequency allocation, space debris mitigation guidelines, and others as required);
• Standardization issues (standards for platforms, ground-stations, project and programme management, communication protocols, and interfaces);
• Policy issues (nano- and small satellite development as part of an overall research and development strategy, modes of international cooperation and their benefits and drawbacks, technology transfer issues, industrialization, start-up opportunities, and related issues);
• Available (open source) software, hardware, people along with other relevant tools;
• Any other information considered relevant.

Reference Materials

Websites

• United Nations Basic Space Technology Initiative
• Second United Nations/Austria/European Space AgencySymposium on Small Satellite Programmes for Sustainable Development: Payloads for Small Satellite Programmes
• CubeSat Website
• HUMSAT Website
• ISIS (Innovative Solutions in Space) Website
• EyasSat Satellite Simulator
• UWE Cubesat projects

Books

• Space Mission Analysis and Design, Third Edition, Wertz and Larson, Microcosm Press.
• Reducing Space Mission Cost, Larson and Wertz, Microcosm Press.
• The Logic of Microspace - Technology and Management of Minimum-Cost Space Missions, Rick Fleeter, Microcosm Press.
• International Study on Cost-Effective Earth Observation Missions, ed Rainer Sandau, Taylor & Francis, London/Leiden/New York/Philadelphia/Singapore, 2006

Articles

• Wood, Weigel, The Use of Satellite-Based Technology to Meet Needs in Developing Countries, IAC-08-B4.1.1, 2008
• Wood, Weigel, The Evolution of Satellite Programs in Developing Countries, IAC-09-B4.1.3, 2009
• Wood, Weigel, Building Technological Capability Within Satellite Programs in Developing Countries, IAC-10-B4.1.1, 2010
• Sylvan, Komerath, Woellert, Homnick, Palaia, The Emerging Inner Solar System Economy. World Future Review, Vol.1 No.2, April-May, 2009
• Woellert et al, Cubesats: Cost-effective science and technology platforms for emerging and developing nations, Advances in Space Research, Oct 9, 2010, doi:10.1016/j.asr.2010.10.009