Conclusions and Top Ten Things to Know About Small Satellites

Abstract

This book has sought to cover all of the key elements associated with the development and future use of small satellites around the world. There are various chapters that have addressed the rapidly evolving technology, the main applications in remote sensing and Earth observation, networking and telecommunications, and the key opportunities that this rapidly developing technology can afford to developing countries and the Global South. There is a detailed analysis of how this technology and small satellite systems might be effectively deployed to achieve the U. N. Sustainable Development Goals by 2030. There is also a detailed analysis of the policy and regulatory issues that small satellites pose to the effective and safe future utilization of space. Further there is a chapter that outlines some possible changes and improvement to standards related to small satellites as well as proposed modifications and improvement to current regulatory provisions concerning space activities in general and smallsats in particular. These suggested enhancements to current global space governance could possibly help to address some of the policy concerns and issues raised.