Symposium Program
S.1 Space Science with Small Satellites
MSO: Amal Chandran, Laboratory for Atmospheric and Space Physics, USA, amal.chandran@lasp.colorado.edu
DO: Yuan Liang Lim, Office for Space Technology & Industry (OSTIn), Singapore, LIM_Yuan_Liang@edb.gov.sg
This session will discuss the rapid advances made in the last decade in small, micro and nano satellites for space science. This session will focus on current, near-term approved and conceptual small/micro and nano-satellite missions to observe the Earth’s atmosphere, ionosphere and for monitoring space weather. Constellation ideas to address the near-Earth space environment, characterization of LEO atmospheric drag will also be discussed in this session. We also invite presentations on innovative mission concepts, instrumentation systems engineering and management, spacecraft bus standards, access to space, ground systems, data archiving, sharing and standards for Earth sciences.
S.2 Space Debris monitoring and mitigation using small satellites
MSO: Daniel Hastings, Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), USA, hastings@mit.edu
DO: Sarat Chandra Nagavarapu, A*STAR, Singapore, Nagavarapu_Saratchandra@i2r.a-star.edu.sg
Space debris in the Near-Earth Orbit is a growing concern for the space community. This session will focus on the increasing problem of space debris in LEO and possible monitoring and mitigation strategies. Currently, more than 2600 active satellites are orbiting the Earth, nearly 60% of which are operating in LEO. With the advent of mega-constellations of small satellites in LEO, the LEO environment is becoming extremely crowded. Collisions among these objects, some of which have already occurred, might become the primary source for new debris in orbit, which might set off a chain reaction destroying many operational satellites. Thus, it is necessary to monitor and remove space debris for the existence of future space operations. Experts have proposed countermeasures that would mitigate this problem. However, significant challenges are faced by spacefaring organizations to implement these measures. From a commercial deployment & financial budget point of view, it is viable to use small satellites to perform debris removal, instead of deploying bigger satellites. In addition to debris monitoring & mitigation, this session will also discuss possible regulatory mechanisms to reduce the overcrowding of the LEO environment, debris remediation, policy design, and space environment management.
A.1 Earth Observation and Environment Monitoring from Small Satellites
MSO: Jerome Benveniste, European Space Agency (ESA), Italy, jerome.benveniste@esa.int
DO: Sang-Ho Yun, Earth Observatory Singapore (EOS), Singapore, sangho.yun@ntu.edu.sg
Small satellites have gained significant momentum in improving space-borne scientific data using low-cost, easy access, large constellations. Nano/Microsatellites in particular have become a solution for next generation of earth observation (EO) and environment monitoring in recent years. This session will discuss the recent developments in the field of Earth Observation and Environment Monitoring with small satellites, addressing outstanding questions facing the community in Earth observations and space based environmental monitoring. Space scientists and engineers are invited to share their expertise, vision and predictions of the status and trends of small satellite missions for Earth observation with focus on environment monitoring. Speakers are invited to present the latest mission concepts, payload/instrument design, mission architecture with large-scale constellations, data analysis from recent EO missions. The proposed session will be a platform to build knowledge on how best to utilize small satellite platform for future missions to influence decision makers on climate and environment monitoring.
B.1 Deep-Space Science and Exploration with Miniaturized Systems
MO: Francesco Topputo, Politecnico di Milano, Italy, francesco.topputo@polimi.it
DO: Manuel Grande, Aberystwyth University, UK, M.Grande@aber.ac.uk
In the last few years there has been a significant impetus toward the conception of deep-space missions using miniaturized probes, e.g., CubeSats. While miniaturized systems have already granted research institutions and small companies the access to the near-Earth space, once a prerogative of few large agencies, Interplanetary CubeSats are on the verge of becoming prosperous; see the recent success of NASA’s MarCO. Using interplanetary CubeSats, a massive in-situ analysis of minor bodies is envisaged, ultimately leading to one-spacecraft-per-asteroid concepts, as well as Moon and Mars science and exploration might be enabled.
This session will discuss the recent developments in the field of deep-space science and exploration with miniaturized systems, with emphasis on minor bodies, Moon, and Mars missions. The focus will be on mission conception and preliminary mission and system design. Emphasis will be given to the potential gains that interplanetary CubeSats favor over classic, monolithic spacecraft missions. The session will feature speeches by key speakers from universities, research centers, and space agencies.
PCB.1 Capacity Building with Small Satellites – a COSPAR-INSPIRE Long Term Plan
MSO: Loren Chang, National Central University, China: Acad. of Sciences Located in Taipei, loren@g.ncu.edu.tw
DO: Carlos Gabriel, COSPAR, juan.carlos.gabriel@gmail.com
Over the past decade, small satellites have become a viable platform for both technology demonstrations, while also serving as observational platforms for addressing pertinent Earth and space science needs. With the increasing popularity of such small satellite projects in an academic setting, several challenges must still be addressed, including the formulation of viable mission concepts, project management, and striking the right balance between student involvement and professional quality assurance. We invite participants to share their experiences and lessons learned in designing and executing small spacecraft development projects in an academic setting, considering both the challenges of meeting scientific and engineering requirements, as well as the role of such projects in education and capacity building in varied environments. Information on supporting services related to such academic small satellite projects are also welcome, with an emphasis on specific examples and user perspectives. Also presented in this session will be long term plans for a COSPAR capacity building program in collaboration with the INSPIRE program.
PoIS.1 Enabling Technologies from Small Satellites
MSO: Eric Smith, Lockheed Martin Corporation, USA, eric.h.smith@lmco.com
DO: Wee Seng Lim, NTU Satellite Research Centre, Singapore, LimWS@ntu.edu.sg
This session is to explore the potential important role of small satellite technologies in shaping our future economy and way of life. These technologies – including AI, quantum computing, autonomous vehicle augmentation, broadband satellite communications, GPS and satellite imagery will all be discussed in this session.
PSW.1 Microsatellites for Space Weather and Radio Astronomy
MSO: Jingye Yan, National Space Science Center, China: CAS, yanjingye@nssc.ac.cn
DO: Mengu Cho, Kyushu University, Japan, cho.mengu801@mail.kyutech.jp
This session is dedicated to the concept studies/development of microsatellite for space weather and radio astronomy. Space weather monitoring has traditionally been done with large satellite platforms. Miniaturized instruments and constellations of small satellites provide unprecedented opportunities for making multi-point measurements of the sun and in-situ thermosphere/ionosphere measurements to address space weather impacts on the I-T-M system. Radio astronomy through the use of miniaturized platforms is a new area of research. Both aspects also benefit from microsatellite array by forming a super large virtual aperture. We welcome instrument concepts and mission concepts, design and operational mission papers in this session.
TGCSS.1 Task Group on Establishing a Constellation of Small Satellites
MSO: Daniel Baker, University of Colorado, USA, Dan.Baker@lasp.colorado.edu
DO: Loren Chang, National Central University, China: Acad. of Sciences Located in Taipei, loren@g.ncu.edu.tw
The Committee on Space Research (COSPAR) in 2019 established a new Task Group to develop an “actionable” plan for an international constellation of small satellites. It was suggested that a particularly useful constellation would be one that measures the plasma conditions in the ionosphere, with sufficient measurement density to substantially improve space weather forecasts. The COSPAR team, known formally as the Task Group on establishing a Constellation of Small Satellites (TGCSS), began its deliberative work in early March of 2020. In addition to detailing the key science objectives for this program, the Task Group members agreed to start addressing several implementation issues and concerns. The Task Group members have recognized two important and distinct aspects of the COSPAR Action Plan. One branch of activity should be geared toward harnessing and taking good advantage of what international COSPAR adherents already are doing in the small sat realm. By identifying and orchestrating such efforts, COSPAR is able to perform a worthwhile service to the space community and the nations of the world. The other aspect of this plan is to build capacity amongst nations and institutions that presently have little (or no) space involvement or experience. By bringing more developing nations to the “space exploration table”, COSPAR will greatly increase and benefit the entire space enterprise. The chair of the task group will present updates on the activities of the task group and its progress towards achieving its goals in the proposed Town Hall.