Nanosatellites

31 III-3bEconomics and the Future

Richard Joye

KCHK—Key Capital Hong Kong Limited, Hong Kong

31.1 Introduction

Small satellites¹ are expected to play a central role in the future of the economy of space. They represent much more than a simple technology evolution. Small satellites are not only replacing or complementing larger, more expensive, sometimes obsolete geostationary platforms but they are also enabling new business models. They allow NewSpace companies, independent from large industrial conglomerates, sometimes backed by venture capital money, to emerge and offer disruptive products and services. Overall, they make the access to space easier and more affordable and open a full spectrum of unforeseen opportunities.

Small satellites come with constraints. They have limitations because of their mass, impacting their orbit height² and life in space, and also because of other factors, some linked to the economics of the NewSpace framework.³ But the majority of small spacecraft have enough advantages to overcome those constraints. Affordable constellations of nanosatellites to small satellites are the answer to expensive fleets of geostationary satellites. They significantly reduce the problem of low orbit. Electric propulsion could be one answer to the refueling issue, especially when considering deep space exploration. New types of batteries will increase the lifetime of nanosatellites.

New platforms, more nimble, cheaper, and with shorter time to market, will pioneer ...