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Nanosatellites Overview
Brief Analysis

Nanosatelites (nanostats) are miniature satellites that are typically launched in the low earth orbit. Many of these satellites were built in a standard format known as a CubeSat which are10cm (4 inches) and they weigh 1.3kg (2.0lb) or less, in comparison to current satellites that can weigh up to 2.5 tons. There are still applications that will require a full-size satellite, but Nanosats are a fraction of the size of regular satellites and can be built at a fraction of the cost. CubeSat dimensions may cost $150,000 - $1 million rather than $200 million - $1 billion for a full sized one.

Nanosats have the ability to take pictures as they scan the Earth more frequently than traditional satellites. Many satellites already circle the Earth and take pictures, but some of the images may not be updated for days, months, or even years, which is not beneficial for researchers. Nanosats have the ability to provide rapid satellite images on demand, and capture images at a resolution of 50cm. These capabilities can be used to track environmental conditions, illegal tree-felling or changes in the course of rivers. Skybox, a company that released nanosats in the orbit, has done a set of analyses and are able to monitor infrastructure such as planting of fields, plumes from smokestacks, and ships in ports that can be observed while maintaining a rich visualization.

Nanosats also contain sensors that enable them to locate various objects on earth. For instance, more than 250,000 ships broadcast an automatic identification signal that travels 50 nautical miles. In comparison, a fleet of small satellites in low orbit could pick up these signals and provide frequent updates about the ships’ positions without vessels having to use costly dedicated satellite uplinks.

Envisioned Applications

Nanosatellites contain sensors that enable them to locate various objects on earth. For instance, more than 250,000 ships broadcast an automatic identification signal that travels 50 nautical miles. In comparison, a fleet of small satellites in low orbit could pick up these signals and provide frequent updates about the ships’ positions without vessels having to use costly dedicated satellite uplinks. This would be very helpful in the cruise industry and would allow companies to reduce annual costs.

Commercialization

NASA plans to use and commercialize this emerging technology to power telecommunications and networks in space. (VOIP) voice over internet protocol, video, wireless transmissions, and data are the main areas that NASA will impart their expertise. These initiatives will help to revolutionize the space mobile communications industry.

Key Technical Challenges

The communication elements that are built within the nanosats pose key challenges. The volume of the antenna receptors is significantly condensed, and this reduction of size causes decreased antenna gain and signal strength. In addition, some of the hardware that is used, such as transmitters, receivers, diplexers, and switches, do not correspond with the size of the nanosats, but with the communication requirements, thus adding additional mass to the miniature satellites. Another technical challenge is the construction of the electrical power subsystem (EPS). There are very few batteries that provide optimum performance to nanosats. Batteries are constrained by the size as well, and battery technologies have not been created to accommodate the full needs of nanosats.

Security/Privacy Issues

Nanosatellites are making space easily accessible to countries around the world. This increased access can enable expansive research, but the U.S. national security views international access to space as a potential threat. As an example, a Chinese newspaper cited that China was secretly constructing a nanosatellite weapon that is called "Parasitic Satellite". This weapon will attach itself to an enemy's satellite in space, and during conflict, instructions will be sent to this satellite to destroy the host satellite in less than 60 seconds.

Competitive Viability Assessment
Application of Architectures

Client/Server architectures are currently used for traditional satellites and nanosatellites. This is an appropriate use for this technology because the information collected from satellites is often requested by multiple clients. Nanosatellites would benefit from a peer-to-peer architecture because it would allow them to be maintained at a lower cost. If the cost was lowered then this technology would be more widely available. Peer-to-peer is also being attempted with traditional satellites to lower costs and improve collaboration.

Barriers to Entry

Nanosatellites costs millions of dollars less to manufacture and launch into space than traditional satellites. The cheapest nanosatellites are $25. There is not a standard price to launch a nanosatellite, but it does range from $30,000 to $400,000. Despite the cost coming down considerably getting the capital to fund the development and launch of a nanosatellite is still a barrier to entry. Another barrier to entry is to develop the technology and personnel to support a launch. Even though this technology has been around for decades it still requires a specialized group of individuals to develop a nanosatellite and launch it into space. Orbital Sciences, Kosmotras, SpaceX, NanoRacks, Planet Labs, Nanosatisfi, Skybox, Surrey Satellite Technology, NASA, and a few universities are some of the organizations that are developing nanosatellites. Competition is expected to increase. In the next five years it is expected that 1,000 nanosatellites will be launched. The competition will be tough especially from emerging markets such as Russia that can launch a satellite for less than $100,000. China and other countries that have huge economies of scale when it comes to manufacturing and lower labor costs will also make the market more competitive. Regulation is a barrier to entry that may emerge in the future. Currently there is not regulation on nanosatellites carrying chemicals that are pollutants. As competition intensifies it is possible for the U.S. or other governments to regulate nanosatellites. The U.S. government in particular may step in and develop regulations because most organizations developing nanosatellites are in the U.S. There also may be regulation to limit the amount of nanosatellites in orbit around the Earth because small objects traveling at high speeds present a danger to astronauts and spacecraft.

Nanosatellites and smart phones use a rare earth metal called Beryllium. Some nanosatellites contain smart phones. The majority of rare Earth metals come from China and China has restrictions on the supply of rare Earth metals to other countries. Acquiring rare Earth metals is another barrier to entry especially as China gains more power in the international arena. As the ubiquity of technology continues to increase its may make it harder to acquire rare Earth metals as they will be in higher demand.

Threat of Substitutes

Traditional satellites are still a substitute to nanosatellites. Although these satellites are millions of dollars more expensive they do have more functionality. For example, nanosatellites cannot take images as detailed as the Hubble Space Telescope or other traditional satellites that take images of the Earth. One of the benefits of nanosatellites is improved logistics and tracking of merchandise. Other nanotechnology such as smart dust will be a threat of a substitute because it can also improve logistics and tracking.

Complementary Technologies

In addition to the rockets that are needed to launch nanosatellites microprocessors will also be needed for this technology to be effective. This is one reason why smart phones are being used for nanosatellites. Smart phones have more computing power than the space crafts that took astronauts to the moon during the Apollo missions. Nanosatellites with built in smart phones are being developed by NASA with the nick name phonesats. Smart phones are ideal for nanosatellites because they have high resolution cameras, GPS, and powerful data computing mechanisms. As microprocessors and smart phones become cheaper so will nanosatellites. Bargaining Power

The firms that are launching the nanosatellites into space are often different from the organizations that develop nanosatellites. Companies such as Virgin Galactic, a private space venture led by Richard Branson, want to maximize their profits and may not come down in price. However, if they can promise the flexibility of having weekly launches developers of the nanosatellites may have to pay a premium to have their satellite launched by Virgin Galactic. Their alternative would be to work with a small startup that is less credibility and has less flexibility as to when a nanosatellite could be launched. Virgin Galatic could use its capital, other resources, and Richard Branson’s reputation to have a dominant market share in the launch of nanosatellites while charging customers a premium. The developers of nanosatellites and firms launching them into space currently have more bargaining power than consumers that would like to purchase a nanosatellites. This is because there are relatively few options as far as buying a nanosatellite and getting it into orbit. The suppliers of rare earth metals and other components of nanosatellites have more bargaining power because most organizations developing nanosatellites do not have much influence in the market for electronic components.

Projected Adaption
Nanosatellites have the ability to track and monitor data, shipments, and information when there is no stationary infrastructure in place. This ubiquity makes using nanosatellites in business industries much more viable, especially across seas, in air, and in space.

On August 18, 2014, Russian cosmonauts propelled a nanosat into the galaxy during their spacewalk to collect earth imagery, temperature, and pressure measurements. Countries, including the United States, have already begun conducting experimental work with nanosats to expand space exploration and education. The cost – less than $1 million to launch a nanosat into space – makes exploration and education using nanosats much more accessible and feasible.

Holistically, nanosats have a low manufacturing cost, are easy to massively produce, and have faster innovation, making the demand high and the projection of global launch demand to be greatest by the year 2020. This growth demand is not only triggered by space research and educational benefits, but also military and civil markets for communication purposes, telecommunications to create a global communication system, scientific research to monitor atmospheric chemical levels, and pharmaceuticals to validate tests and experiments.

Critical Success Factors

The eventual success of nanosatellites will hinge on lowering the total cost of putting them into orbit. The $150,000-1 million cots to launch against $200m-1 billion for a large scale satellite certainly has a large price advantage. However, the costs are still high for a new concept and companies will have to employ extra workers to monitor their high-tech assets. For nanosats to continue their growth trend manufacturers must make the launch and maintenance cost within reach for desirable markets. There will be a potential to receive quantity discounts for companies that send certain counts of satellites into space. This will further enable large companies to acquire the technology. The civil sector is now able to participate in this market due to the lowered cost and there is an expected launch growth over the next year. Beyond price there is a potential for over regulation by the U.S. government. However, if the U.s. does not than advantage of this emerging technology other countries will become industry leaders. Russia launched their first human activated nano satellites in August of 2014 and will push the U.S. to be the leader in this emerging global market.

Conclusions

Nanosatellites are going to revolutionize the level of information we are capable of attaining. The lowered cost of the implementation allows the technology to be utilized by higher levels of the civil sector. This is similar to the cost of computers 30 years ago to the point now where most of the U.S. has adequate access. Nanosats will provide the world with superior weather analysis, real time accuracy of GPS, network connection, and scholarly advances.

http://fas.org/pubs/_docs/10072004163734.pdf