Understanding Satellite Sizes: Micro, Pico, Nano, and Beyond
Satellites have evolved tremendously in size and function over the past decades. Modern satellite technology spans a wide range of sizes, each with specific capabilities and typical use cases. Here’s a breakdown:
1. Pico Satellites [0.1 to 1 kg]
Pico satellites are some of the smallest satellites launched, usually used for educational, experimental, or very low-bandwidth IoT communications. Their tiny size means low cost, but also very limited power and communication capacity.
2. Nano Satellites [1 to 10 kg]
Nano satellites, including many CubeSats, are highly popular due to their modular design and cost-effectiveness. These satellites are typically used for Earth observation, scientific experiments, and increasingly for IoT data relay. CubeSats are often built in units of 10x10x10 cm [“1U”], and can be combined into larger units like 3U or 6U for enhanced capabilities.
3. Micro Satellites [10 to 100 kg]
Micro satellites offer more power, better sensors, and longer lifespans. They can support more advanced IoT applications, such as wide-area environmental monitoring, asset tracking, and infrastructure health.
4. Small Satellites [SmallSats] [100 to 500 kg]
SmallSats bridge the gap between microsatellites and traditional larger satellites. They typically host more sophisticated payloads for commercial communication networks and high-resolution Earth imaging.
5. Medium to Large Satellites [over 500 kg]
These are the more traditional satellites used in geostationary orbit [GEO] or medium Earth orbit [MEO], delivering broadband internet, weather monitoring, and defense applications. They are powerful but expensive and have higher latency compared to low Earth orbit [LEO] satellites.
How FOSSA Systems Uses Different Satellite Sizes
By working with smaller satellite classes, FOSSA can deliver connectivity solutions that are:
- Affordable due to smaller satellite manufacturing and launch costs.
- Energy-efficient for IoT devices, extending battery life.
- Global and reliable, overcoming terrestrial network limitations.
Why Satellite Size Matters for IoT
- Cost: Smaller satellites are cheaper to build and launch, which translates to lower service costs.
- Power: Smaller satellites require less power from devices to communicate, which means longer-lasting batteries on IoT sensors.
- Scalability: Networks made up of many small satellites can be expanded rapidly, providing more capacity and coverage.