On July 09, 2023, The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) announced its plan to transfer its Small Satellite Launch Vehicle (SSLV) to the private sector. ISRO will choose the bidding route to transfer the mini-rocket to the industry. It will conduct two development flights of the rocket that seek to provide on-demand services to put satellites weighing up to 500 kg in a low-earth orbit.
On Sep. 06, 2023, Terran Orbital (LLAP) announced seven standard satellite bus platforms, continuing to set the standards for small satellites of the future. Terran Orbital pioneered CubeSat standards, establishing new benchmarks for satellite technology for the coming decade. The seven bus platforms include the nano, micro, mini, and small classes. These standards are based on Terran Orbital's manufacturing capabilities, featuring components and modules that can be swapped to accommodate different bus sizes and configurations.
On Mar. 24, 2021, NanoAvionics, a smallsat mission integrator, announced its expansion into the microsatellite market with the MP42 bus. Most NanoAvionics' subsystems require minor adjustments to manufacture the MP42 and match microsat mission needs. The MP42 is the first modular microsat bus in the industry, which will allow NanoAvionics to capture a sizable share of the lucrative microsatellite segment. NanoAvionics aims to launch 10,000 smallsats over the next 10 years and expects to grow its entire service portfolio for nano and microsatellite missions and produce about 120 satellites annually by 2025.
On Feb.11, 2021, Scientists from Korea and the USA announced the development of a novel antenna design for CubeSat nanosatellites using advanced communications systems like 6G communications. This innovative origami-inspired antenna technology will be used in small satellites and can be deployed for nano- and micro-satellite communications. Researchers built this small, lightweight, and reconfigurable antenna for CubeSat, depending on the operational mode selected.
Key Companies in the Nano and MicroSatellite Industry
- L3Harris(US)
- Axelspace(Japan)
- Sierra Nevada Corporation(US)
- AAC Clyde Space(Scotland)
- GAUSS(Italy)
- Excolaunch(Germany)
- Spire Global(US)
- SpaceQuest(US)
- Alen Space(Spain)
- Dauria Aerospace(Russia)
- Swarm(US)
- RUAG Space(Switzerland)
- Millennium Space Systems(US)
- Raytheon(US)
- Astrocast(Switzerland)
- EnduroSat(Bulgaria)
