nanosatellites
Miniature orbiting probes
Nanosatellites are artificial satellites weighing between 1 and 10 kilograms, small enough to be launched affordably in clusters or as secondary payloads alongside larger spacecraft.
They're used for earth observation, communications, scientific research, and technology demonstrations.
The miniaturization of electronics has made nanosatellites increasingly capable despite their size.
The university launched three nanosatellites to study atmospheric conditions.
CubeSats, built from standardized 10-centimeter cube units, are the most common type of nanosatellite.
Broadcast signal receiver
- transceiverDual-function communication device
- payloadCarried freight or charge
- thrustersPropulsion devices for steering
- sensorsDevices that detect input
battery · transmitter · receiver · camera
Of extreme latitudes
- geostationaryFixed above one point
- constellationNamed pattern of celestial bodies
- trajectoryPath of moving object
- inclinationDisposition toward something
altitude · perigee · apogee · eccentricity · drag · reentry · velocity · revolution
Miniature standardized spacecraft unit
- miniaturizationReducing physical scale significantly
- compactTightly packed together
- lightweightLacking mass or importance
- standardizedMade uniform across cases
Transmission to spacecraft
- downlinkSpacecraft-to-Earth transmission
- telemetryDistant automated data collection
- bandwidthData transmission capacity
- frequencyRate of recurrence
signal · modulation · encryption · latency · throughput · protocol · handshake · interference
Shared vehicle transit
- dispenserDevice that releases portions
- piggybackCarried on another's back
- separationState of being apart
- manifestClearly apparent or displayed
Newly launched businesses
- commercialPaid broadcast promotion
- SpirePointed tower structure
- SwarmDocker's native clustering system
- procurementObtaining goods externally
Detectable signs of life
- spectroscopyStudy of light-matter interaction
- imagingProducing visual representations
- mappingDiagram of correspondences
antenna
Broadcast signal receiver
- transceiverDual-function communication device
- payloadCarried freight or charge
- thrustersPropulsion devices for steering
sensors · battery · transmitter · receiver · camera
polar
Of extreme latitudes
- geostationaryFixed above one point
- constellationNamed pattern of celestial bodies
- trajectoryPath of moving object
inclination · altitude · perigee · apogee · eccentricity · drag · reentry · velocity · revolution · deorbit
CubeSat
Miniature standardized spacecraft unit
- miniaturizationReducing physical scale significantly
- compactTightly packed together
- lightweightLacking mass or importance
uplink
Transmission to spacecraft
- downlinkSpacecraft-to-Earth transmission
- telemetryDistant automated data collection
- bandwidthData transmission capacity
frequency · signal · modulation · encryption · latency · throughput · protocol · handshake · interference · duplex
rideshare
Shared vehicle transit
- dispenserDevice that releases portions
- piggybackCarried on another's back
- separationState of being apart
startups
Newly launched businesses
- commercialPaid broadcast promotion
- SpirePointed tower structure
- SwarmDocker's native clustering system
biosignatures
Detectable signs of life
- spectroscopyStudy of light-matter interaction
- imagingProducing visual representations
- mappingDiagram of correspondences
- spacecraftspacecraft, starships, spaceship, Voyager 1, rocket ships
- satellitesmicrosatellites, SES, Terra, Aqua, Copernicus
nanosatellitesspace stations
Crewed spacecraft in orbit
International Space Station · Hubble Space Telescope · communications satellites · weather satellites · megastructures