| Title: | ChipSats: new opportunities |
| Material Type: | ISU Team Project report |
| Publisher: | Illkirch-Graffenstaden (France) : International Space University, 2020 |
| Size: | 1 electronic resource (xvi, 132 p.) / col. ill. |
| Bibliography note: | Includes bibliographical references |
| Languages: | English |
| Class number: | TL795.4 |
| Subjects: | Microspacecraft |
| Keywords: | ChipSat |
| Description: | The consistent trend in the miniaturization of electrical and mechanical components has enabled a steady downscaling in satellite sizing. This evolution has progressed from traditional heavy spacecraft to CubeSats, and now to a new generation of satellites: ChipSats. The ChipSat, with a mass of fewer than 10 grams, demonstrates several features atypical to those found in traditional satellite design; a uniquely low platform mass, inexpensive fabrication methods, and augmented redundancies. The appropriate leverage and synergy of these features have the potential to drive the design envelope toward innovative mission architectures while lowering traditionally high barriers of entry to space. There is an opportunity for future mission designers, academic institutions, and space-aspiring entities alike to benefit. The International Space University has expressed interest in launching a ChipSat of its own within five years. This report states the benefits and anticipated challenges for pursuing this endeavor. The key elements concerning technical, educational, and legal aspects have been evaluated to inform the International Space University on a proposed path that must be navigated to ensure a successful ChipSat launch while adding value to the self-imposed institutional targets. The delivery of a ChipSat into space by the International Space University can serve as a model for other educational institutions to model after. Concerning interested space agencies and commercial entities, a set of mission profiles have been put forward to illuminate the relevant mission orchestrators on the potential mission concepts that ChipSats can support. Although the literature provides coverage across all the mission-relevant disciplines, there are outstanding gaps that demand attention. A series of recommended next-steps have been put forward to the key decision-makers to address the identified inadequacies. Ultimately, the value ChipSats may bring through the democratization of space, space education, and future mission design outweighs the hurdles that must be overcome. |
| Contents note: | 1. Introduction 2. Background 3. Technology readiness overview 4. ChipSat new opportunities 5. ISU ChipSat roadmap 6. Future mission case studies 7. Discussion 8. Recommendations 9. Conclusions |
| ISU program : | Master of Space Studies |
| Permalink: | https://isulibrary.isunet.edu/index.php?lvl=notice_display&id=10992 |
Read online (2)
 2020_ChipSats_Executive Summary (12.2MB) Adobe Acrobat PDF | 2020_ChipSats_Full report (5.89MB) Adobe Acrobat PDF |
