NanoSatellites

• Market trends and forecasts• Technology trends• Community needs

Johan Sundqvist, NanoSpaceSpace Innovation Forum

• Nanosatellite market is growing

• 51 nanosatellites lost due to launcher failures (Antares, Falcon 9, Super Strypi)

• Large backlog due to these failures and resulting launcher delays.

• Expected record-breaking 2016

Data from SpaceWorks Enterprises

• Commercial NanoSatellites increasing• CubeSats are getting larger (3U+)

Data from SpaceWorks Enterprises

Other observations• Launch opportunities still a bottleneck

…but many small satellite LVs are now under development

• The ground segment sector is not ready…but the established players have started to act

• A large number of entities trying commercialize nanosatellite business• …but annual turnover is still moderately low

• Venture capital is flowing into the nanosatellite segment in the US…but not yet in Europe

Technology Trends• Constellations and formation flying more and more popular

Planet Labs, Terra Bella (fka Skybox), Spire, …

• Currently a peak of 6U Cubesats, the trend is towards even larger systems.

• Beyond a 12U size, the providers are leaving the Cubesat concept and are developing their own standard platform in the 50-100 kg range.

Technology Trends: Satellite subsystemsCommunications• Clear trend towards S-band and X-band• Increasing demand for Inter-Satellite links (formation flying or constellations)• Software Defined Radio: Both for ground communication and for Inter-Satellite Links• Cost-efficient solutions for ground segment increasingly important

Propulsion• Several low to moderate delta-V systems are being developed, some IODs performed• Development of high delta-V capability systems are needed.

Enabling technologies (FP7 NanoSat workshops)• High speed communication links (both to ground and ISL) and ”ad-hoc” networking

• Dedicated, standardized and regular European launch opportunities

• High resolution sensors (primarily for earth observation)

• Propulsion capability

• Orbit debris mitigation (ex. de-orbit capability)

• Ground segment suitable for low cost nanosatellite missions (e.g. network of ground stations, autonomous operation, etc)