CubeSat
Miniature orbiting box
CubeSat is a type of miniaturized satellite built in standardized cubic units of 10 centimeters per side.
A single unit (1U) is roughly the size of a Rubik's cube; larger configurations like 3U or 6U stack multiple units together.
CubeSats have democratized space research, allowing universities and small companies to launch satellites at a fraction of traditional costs: The university's CubeSat will study atmospheric conditions.
Lightweight orbiting spacecraft
- miniaturizedReduced to tiny size
- standardizedMade uniform across cases
- modularMade of separable units
- stackableCan be piled up
deployer · compact · lightweight · scalable · integration
Broadcast signal receiver
- transceiverDual-function communication device
- uplinkTransmission to spacecraft
- downlinkSpacecraft-to-Earth transmission
- telemetryDistant automated data collection
UHF · beacon · modulation · bandwidth · frequency · store-and-forward
Of extreme latitudes
- trajectoryPath of moving object
- inclinationDisposition toward something
- perigeeOrbit's closest point
- apogeeHighest orbital point
constellation · deorbit · eccentricity · delta-v · retrograde · prograde
Carried freight or charge
- propulsionForce driving movement forward
- batteryPortable electricity storage
- electronicsStudy of circuits
- microcontrollerIntegrated circuit with processor
Physics of celestial bodies
- biosatelliteSpacecraft carrying life forms
- spectroscopyStudy of light-matter interaction
- magnetometerInstrument measuring field strength
- interplanetaryBetween celestial bodies
Public participation in research
- crowdfundedFinanced by public contributions
- open-sourceFreely viewable, editable code
nanosatellite
Lightweight orbiting spacecraft
- miniaturizedReduced to tiny size
- standardizedMade uniform across cases
- modularMade of separable units
stackable · deployer · compact · lightweight · scalable · integration
antenna
Broadcast signal receiver
- transceiverDual-function communication device
- uplinkTransmission to spacecraft
- downlinkSpacecraft-to-Earth transmission
telemetry · UHF · beacon · modulation · bandwidth · frequency · store-and-forward
polar
Of extreme latitudes
- trajectoryPath of moving object
- inclinationDisposition toward something
- perigeeOrbit's closest point
apogee · constellation · deorbit · eccentricity · delta-v · retrograde · prograde
payload
Carried freight or charge
- propulsionForce driving movement forward
- batteryPortable electricity storage
- electronicsStudy of circuits
astrophysics
Physics of celestial bodies
- biosatelliteSpacecraft carrying life forms
- spectroscopyStudy of light-matter interaction
- magnetometerInstrument measuring field strength
citizen-science
Public participation in research
- crowdfundedFinanced by public contributions
- open-sourceFreely viewable, editable code
CubeSatJames Webb Space Telescope
Infrared space observatory
International Space Station · Hubble Space Telescope · space station · deep space probe · Voyager
cube, satellite, cubic, cubism, cuboid, cubist, cubical, microsatellite, subsatellite