Abstract
Following their success in low Earth orbit, nanospacecraft weighing less than 25 kg may soon contribute to the exploration of the Solar System. This paper outlines the necessary technologies that enable these small satellites to be placed on an interplanetary trajectory. Propulsion is a key aspect of this problem but is only part of it; because a nanospacecraft does not choose its launcher and its injection orbit, launch opportunities and propulsion systems must be considered together. Specifications of present and upcoming electric thrusters and the limits of electric propulsion are described. Especially, the use of such nanothrusters on a nanospacecraft are considered with the realistic constraint of limited thrusting time, which restricts the very large that can be obtained otherwise. Then, given the present state of rideshare opportunities along scientific or commercial missions, the paper analyzes the possibility of nanospacecraft escaping Earth on their own from common orbits. The paper concludes on technological and system developments required for nanospacecraft to change the paradigm of interplanetary Solar System exploration.
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