Science

The CubeSat Revolution: How Tiny Satellites are Transforming Space Exploration

2024-09-27

Author: Liam

The CubeSat Revolution: How Tiny Satellites are Transforming Space Exploration

Imagine a satellite that weighs less than a bowling ball, small enough to be held in one hand. This is the essence of CubeSats—miniature satellites that are redefining our approach to studying the solar system. With dimensions typically around 4 pounds (about 2 kilograms) and varying in size, these tiny powerhouses are making huge contributions to space research.

As an expert in electrical and computer engineering specializing in new space technologies, I can affirm that CubeSats present a simpler and more cost-effective method of reaching distant worlds. Unlike traditional satellites that serve multiple functions, CubeSats are designed with a singular scientific goal in mind, whether that involves discovering exoplanets or analyzing the size of asteroids. This targeted approach not only streamlines their design but also makes them accessible to a broader range of organizations, including small private companies and academic institutions.

Why CubeSats are a Game Changer

The advantages of CubeSats are immense. They are cheaper and quicker to develop, allowing for a greater frequency of diverse missions at a reduced risk. The lower costs associated with CubeSats mean that more innovative and exploratory missions can be launched without the financial burden that often accompanies larger satellites.

CubeSats are typically launched as secondary payloads on larger rockets. Once in space, they are ejected using a spring mechanism and begin their scientific missions, eventually re-entering the atmosphere to burn up as their orbits decay over time. A notable example is a CubeSat developed by a team of Brown University students, which was completed in under 18 months for less than $10,000. It launched on a SpaceX rocket in May 2022 to study the escalating issue of space debris.

Shifting the Landscape of Space Missions

While sending satellites into space is not a new concept—Soviet Union's Sputnik 1 heralded the era in 1957—CubeSats are changing the narrative. Today, there are around 10,000 active satellites in orbit, the majority engaged in communication or navigation tasks, with less than 3% dedicated to space exploration. However, that is shifting thanks to the advent of CubeSats.

The cost of traditional satellites reaches astronomical heights, with NASA's lunar reconnaissance orbiter, for instance, coming in at approximately $600 million. In contrast, CubeSats allow for the execution of missions at a fraction of that cost, enabling more exploratory endeavors to the Moon, Mars, and beyond. Their small size allows for multiple CubeSats to be deployed in a single launch, creating constellations that can observe phenomena from different perspectives and generate more comprehensive data.

For example, during NASA's Artemis I mission in November 2022, the space agency successfully launched 10 CubeSats tasked with mapping lunar water, a critical resource for future manned missions to the Moon. Together, these CubeSats had a collective cost of just $13 million—paving the way for sustainable human presence on the lunar surface.

CubeSats have also significantly impacted Mars missions. The MarCO CubeSats accompanied NASA’s InSight lander in 2018, serving as a communication relay during its descent to Mars and taking stunning images of the planet, all while costing around $20 million.

In the realm of exoplanetary research, CubeSats have shined as well. NASA's ASTERIA CubeSat successfully observed 55 Cancri e in 2017, confirming this exoplanet's existence—marking it as the smallest space instrument ever to detect an exoplanet.

Looking ahead, two exciting CubeSat missions are on the horizon: HERA, set to launch in October 2024, which will explore the Didymos asteroid system; and the M-Argo satellite, expected to launch in 2025, which will independently study an asteroid. M-Argo will be the smallest CubeSat to conduct its own mission in interplanetary space, showcasing the potential of these tiny satellites.

The Path to Becoming a Multiplanetary Species

The rapid development of CubeSat technology and the significant investments in these missions suggest a promising future for humanity's efforts to explore beyond Earth. As CubeSats continue to evolve, they could play a crucial role in preparing humanity for life on other planets. However, realizing the dream of becoming a multiplanetary species largely relies on the vision and talents of the next generation of scientists and engineers.

Stay tuned as we track the incredible journey of Cubesats—they are not just small satellites; they are the future of space exploration!