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Small Size Matters 

By: Zimbler0 in POPE | Recommend this post (1)
Sun, 19 Jun 11 9:19 PM | 12 view(s)
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http://www.strategypage.com/htmw/htspace/articles/20110615.aspx

June 15, 2011: Six years ago, the U.S. Department of Defense began developing very small satellites. The smallest ones so far are called CubeSats. That is, their volume is no more than one liter (10x10cm or 4.1x4.1 inches) and weigh no more than 1.3 kg (three pounds). The military got the idea from the increasing use of commercial nanosatellites (which weigh no more than 6.8 kg/15 pounds). The U.S. military launched its first CubeSats last December (piggybacking with a larger bird). CubeSats can be used for photo or electronic surveillance, or communications. The rapid advances in communications and sensor technology during the last decade have made it possible to build a useful reconnaissance satellite weighing less and less. A tiny satellite like this would include solar panels, to provide power. British firm Surrey Satellite Technology LTD pioneered this technology a decade ago, and made it possible to get scientific satellites in orbit for a fraction of the usual price.
These tiny satellites also have the advantage of being much more difficult to be tracked from the ground. If there are successful satellite attacks, then the nanosatellites can be sent up to replace the lost birds.

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