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by NASA (Author), Fred Zimmerman (Editor)
Small satellites are the future. This is their Bible. An essential reference for everyone interested in space.
Constellations of thousands of satellites are already in orbit. Those who don't have them, are building them. Musk and Bezos are competing for mastery. A Chinese military spaceplane recently deployed a small constellation of low-earth orbit small sats as a test of prompt deployment capability. Russia is so alarmed by the proliferation of resilient satellite constellations that it is planning to launch an on-orbit electromagnetic pulse (EMP) generator powered by nuclear reactor (or possibly, even a nuclear bomb) that could wipe out most of the satellites currently on orbit and render entire orbital regions useless.
The document provides a comprehensive overview of various state-of-the-art technologies and developments in small spacecraft. It covers a wide range of topics, including small spacecraft platforms, power generation and energy storage, propulsion technologies, guidance, navigation, and control subsystems, structure, mechanisms, and materials, thermal control systems, avionics, radio frequency communications, integration, launch, deployment, and orbital transport, ground data systems and mission operations, identification and tracking systems, and passive deorbit systems. The document highlights the current trends, challenges, and advancements in each area and provides information on specific technologies, missions, and manufacturers. Overall, it serves as a valuable resource for understanding the current state of small spacecraft technology.
Beautiful hardcover edition.
