Smallsat -- A New Class of Satellite

The Small Spacecraft Technology Initiative -- Smallsat -- forecasts the next generation of satellite technology. The Smallsats are a new generation of low-cost spacecraft to deliver high-quality scientific and commercial data for the next decade. These new technology spacecraft with their state-of-the-art instruments will maintain a globally-competitive U.S. satellite industry position.

Smallsats will:

* Use advanced miniaturization technology for smaller, lighter, cheaper spacecraft components;

* Incorporate advanced on-board data processors and memory for on-board data processing capability, eliminating the need for expensive transmission and ground-based data processing operations.

* Be constructed with advanced graphite composites, which will allow the spacecraft to have:

* the highest payload-to-mass ratio of any spacecraft (now operating 70 percent, versus the 40 percent standard for today's satellites);

* an integrated thermal and structural design, eliminating the need for two systems and providing savings on both cost and weight;

* Demonstrate unprecedented speed in processing and distributing data to end users. Scientists will receive data in days instead of weeks or months based on end-user control of the spacecraft sensor;

* Insertion of advanced technology components for the total spacecraft system -- including power, guidance and control, data handling and evaluation of these technologies on-orbit.