Tiny Can Be Better

So far, most satellites and space probes have been rather large because the electronics inside them were bulky and required fair amounts of power to operate. But just as computers have been made smaller-- and more powerful-- so miniaturization of electronic components has made extremely small space vehicles possible.

NASA is moving ahead exploring the new possibilities, but universities and private corporations like Interorbital System are working on their own. Because Cubesats, as some are called, can be built quickly and cheaply, they are ideal for giving students hands-on experience in building a satellite and flying a mission. The size also opens up a range of launch options. They can "piggyback" on larger missions, they can be launched on less powerful rockets, or several such missions can be launched on one rocket. There is also the option of having many of these tiny probes work together in space, creating a network with more capability and versatility than any single probe. We are just scratching the surface of the potential of such a strategy in Earth sensing, planetary exploration, and much else.