COSPAR International Constellation of Small Spacecraft
Abstract
The Committee on Space Research (COSPAR) in 2019 established a new Task Group to develop an "actionable" plan for an international constellation of small satellites. It was suggested that a particularly useful constellation would be one that measures the plasma conditions in the ionosphere, with sufficient measurement density to substantially improve space weather forecasts. The COSPAR team, known formally as the Task Group on establishing a Constellation of Small Satellites (TGCSS), began its deliberative work in early March of 2020. In addition to detailing the key science objectives for this program, the Task Group members agreed to start addressing several implementation issues and concerns: • Smallsat design/system engineering • Spacecraft bus standards • Access to space • Ground systems/communications • Data archiving/sharing/standards The Task Group members have recognized two important and distinct aspects of the COSPAR Action Plan. One branch of activity should be geared toward harnessing and taking good advantage of what international COSPAR adherents already are doing in the smallsat realm. By identifying and orchestrating such efforts, COSPAR is able to perform a worthwhile service to the space community and the nations of the world. The other aspect of this plan is to build capacity amongst nations and institutions that presently have little (or no) space involvement or experience. By bringing more developing nations to the "space exploration table", COSPAR will greatly increase and benefit the entire space enterprise. The chair of the task group will present updates on the activities of the task group and its progress towards achieving its goals in the proposed Town Hall
- Publication:
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43rd COSPAR Scientific Assembly. Held 28 January - 4 February
- Pub Date:
- January 2021
- Bibcode:
- 2021cosp...43E..60B