Space at surrey: Microsatellites & minisatellites for affordable access to space

Abstract

ABSTRACT Changing world politics and military emphasis has brought considerable pressure on space agency financial budgets. Budgetary pressure, coupled with developments in micro-electronics electronics, has catalysed the use smaller satellites as a ‘faster, cheaper, better’ means of realising space missions - complementary to conventional large satellite systems. Affordable small satellites, however, require a very different approach to established space engineering techniques. Since 1979, the University of Surrey (UK) has pioneered cost-effective satellite engineering techniques for small satellites, and has developed a series of highly sophisticated, yet inexpensive, ‘microsatellites’ - built for around US$3M each. Twelve such microsatellites have been launched by Surrey into low Earth orbit carrying a wide range of satellite communications, space science, remote sensing and in-orbit technology demonstration payloads - both civil and military. Six microsatellite missions have also provided the focus and means for a highly successful satellite technology transfer and training programme between Surrey and emerging space nations such as Korea, Portugal, Pakistan, South Africa, Chile, Singapore, Malaysia and Thailand - leading to the launch of their first national satellites (eg. KITSAT-1&2; PoSAT-1, BADR-1, TMSAT & FASat-B) - providing rapid response, low risk and affordable access to space. The Surrey Space Centre offers a unique environment, combining both academic research and postgraduate teaching with commercial development & manufacturing of satellites through its spin-off company, Surrey Satellite Technology Ltd. A new 350kg minisatellite (UoSAT-12) is being built at Surrey for launch in April 1999 which carries more demanding payloads within the same cost-effective satellite engineering philosophy and will provide the basis for Surrey’s first low-cost interplanetary mission to the Moon for launch in 2001.