What are the main challenges and opportunities for small satellite design and engineering?

Smallsats are great systems to work with, if you get the chance to work with them, especially if still learning Space Sciences or Engineering. The scope for mission possibilities is limited, however, by their constraints. Creative use of space, and new approaches to power usage will allow some room for comfort, but most will have a narrow scope. The narrower that scope, the more value and utility you might get out of the system.

Defining mission objectives is crucial for smallsat design. Start by pinpointing the smallsat's purpose: what data or services are needed? Determine the operational lifespan. These objectives shape subsystem requirements: power, communication, propulsion, attitude control, thermal management, and payload. They also guide orbit selection, launch vehicle choice, and ground segment needs. Clear mission objectives ensure a focused design, enhancing the smallsat's efficiency and effectiveness in fulfilling its intended role.

Smallsat design is all about tackling size and mass limitations, which makes for a challenging but rewarding engineering process. Engineers must innovate within strict constraints imposed by standardized launch adapters like CubeSat deployers. This often involves balancing performance and redundancy while pushing miniaturization and efficiency to new heights. Every component must be creatively optimized to maximize functionality within tight confines. These challenges drive groundbreaking solutions, making smallsats highly capable despite their compact form and advancing the entire space systems field.

Managing power and energy is crucial in smallsat design due to constraints on surface area for solar panels and limited battery space. Effective balance of power generation and consumption, along with state-of-charge management, is essential. Smallsats must handle variations in solar illumination, eclipses, and orbital changes. This challenge drives innovation in deployable solar arrays, high-efficiency power converters, and advanced energy storage methods. Exploring these technologies enhances smallsat performance and mission longevity, paving the way for more ambitious space endeavors.

Small satellite design and engineering face challenges such as limited payload capacity, power constraints, and the need for high precision in miniaturized components. Cost-effective launch opportunities and ensuring robust communication links add to the complexity. However, these challenges drive innovation in miniaturization, efficient power usage, and modular designs. Opportunities abound in rapid prototyping, lower development costs, and diverse mission applications from Earth observation to deep space exploration. The agility and reduced cost of small satellites enable more frequent missions, fostering advancements in space technology and science.

Miniaturising components without compromising performance is a significant challenge in small satellite design. In a weather monitoring satellite project, we needed to miniaturise the payload while maintaining its functionality. We worked closely with component manufacturers to develop custom, compact sensors and electronics. Small satellites are more susceptible to radiation due to their smaller size and limited shielding. In a low Earth orbit (LEO) mission, we faced issues with electronic components failing due to radiation exposure. We selected radiation-hardened components and implemented error-correcting code (ECC) in our software to mitigate these effects.