Related Information Selected Technical Papers Due June 10, 2008 Conference Program (PDF 1 MB) To view PDF files Download Adobe® Acrobat Reader® Please Note The Small Satellite Conference has a "no-paper, no-podium" rule. Only authors whose manuscripts are in the Conference proceedings will be permitted to present at the Conference. Proper approval and clearances are the responsibility of the authors; please plan accordingly.

Call for Papers

Small Satellites – Big Business

At the onset of the modern microspace era, small satellites were commonly viewed as the folly of a few academics, renegade defense researchers, and disbelievers in the laws of physics. Today, not only have small space systems proven their ability in a broad spectrum of missions, they have carved out a notable portion of the space market and show continuing signs of growth over the coming decade. The world’s largest space companies have initiated nano-satellite research projects to experiment and explore radical spacecraft design elements that they would not have considered a decade ago for more traditional programs. Entire national space agencies have been built on the foundation of small satellites for communications, Earth imaging, and national technology development. In the U.S., the Department of Defense and other agencies have established long term budget plans for systems that are based principally on smaller, more rapidly developed space platforms.

The 22nd Annual AIAA/USU Conference on Small Satellites will focus on the expanding business of small satellites. For this year’s conference we seek thought provoking papers that target this general theme with particular focus on one or more of the following session topics:

The Big Business of Small Space – Contemporary research and intellectual analysis that characterizes the growing business of small space systems with emphasis on the trends for the coming decade and beyond.

Mission Payloads – Advanced, cutting edge mission technologies and instruments (not bus sensors) designed specifically with small satellite missions in mind.

A Look to the Past – Reports on the success or failure of small satellite missions that have been flown over the last eighteen months with an emphasis on the utility they provided.

Coming Attractions – Preview of small satellite missions that are scheduled to fly within the next two years with an emphasis on the mission and its scientific, technological or business impact.

From Earth to Orbit – Launch systems or launch opportunities that are specifically designed to provide access to space for small satellites.

Advanced Technologies – Innovative, proven or unproven approaches to small satellite technology (components or subsystems) that may offer quantum benefits in next generation small spacecraft.

Thinking Outside the Box – A special session on CubeSats/NanoSats and CubeSat-based missions.

Educational Programs – Recent and planned educational small satellite programs that train a new generation of engineers while benefiting the small satellite community.