SA's mini satellites set to transform space exploration

Washington, September 9: Move over large satellites. SA is working on miniaturised satellites, known as nosatellites or CubeSats, that can fit in the palm of your hand and are providing new opportunities for space science.

“CubeSats are part of a growing technology that’s transforming space exploration,” said David Pierce, senior programme executive for suborbital research at SA Headquarters in Washington, DC, in a statement.

CubeSats are small platforms that eble the next generation of scientists and engineers to complete all phases of a complete space mission during their school career.

“While CubeSats have historically been used as teaching tools and technology demonstrations, today’s CubeSats have the potential to conduct important space science investigations as well,” Pierce added.

CubeSats are built to standard specifications of 1 unit (U) which is equal to 10x10x10 centimetres (about 4x4x4 inches).

CubeSats can be 1U, 2U, 3U or 6U in size, weighing about 3 pounds per U.

They often are launched into orbit as auxiliary payloads aboard rockets, significantly reducing costs. (IANS)