Science

• Remote Sensing
• Telecomms and Navigation
• Technology Demonstration
• Science
  • Scientific Missions
  • Science Payloads
• Exploration
• Constellations

SSTL small satellites are playing an increasing role in space science, enabling compact, sophisticated payloads to access the orbital environment, both affortably and in rapid time frames.

Small satellites and space instruments can be used to underpin national science programmes. This offers continual progress, innovation and improving economic returns which will ultimately enrich the international programmes. The benefits of national small satellites and space instruments are wide ranging and include:

• More flight opportunities for more principal investigators
• More focussed missions with less pressure to accommodate various non-related instruments
• Faster turnaround from concept to results
• Better response to emerging opportunities
• The national distinction of pioneering next generation science
• De-risking expensive projects
• Opportunities to bargain and collaborate in bi-laterals
• Opportunities to train next generation scientists and engineers
• Prestigious, strategic asset focussed on national goals

There is huge potential for small satellite exploitation in scientific applications. A roadmap towards complex mission objectives can be achieved with low cost satellites, individually, and in constellations and formations to increase data sampling and synthesise much larger satellites.  Small satellites can be co-located alongside a larger, traditional satellite to mitigate payload accommodation challenges and to add extra payloads once the main satellite has been launched.