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What are Cubesats?


CubeSat can be described as a miniaturized satellite based on a shape factor of 10cm (3.9 inches) cubes typically placed in low Earth space to observe the Earth and test the latest communications technology or conduct mini-experiments.

CubeSats are characterized by a weight of no greater than 2 kilograms (4.4 lbs) per unit.

CubeSats are constructed according to the normal measurements (Units also known as "U") that are 10 cm x 10cm and 10 cm. They may be 1U 2U, 3U or 6U in dimensions, and generally weight just 1.33 kg (3 pounds) each U. They typically use commercial-off-the-shelf (COTS) parts to build their electronic components and structure.

CubeSats are launched into orbit by deployers aboard the International Space Station and then launched by second payloads using the rocket launcher. In August 2021, over 1600 CubeSats were launched.

In 1999 California Polytechnic State University (Cal Poly) professor Jordi Puig-Suari along with Bob Twiggs, a professor at the Stanford University Space Systems Development Laboratory, developed The CubeSat specifications to encourage and improve the capabilities needed to design, build and test tiny satellites designed to be used in the low-Earth orbit (LEO) that carry out many scientific research and research activities and also explore the latest space technologies.

Academia was responsible for the bulk of CubeSat launches from 2013, when more than half of the launches were not intended for educational use in 2014, and most newly launched CubeSats were for amateur or commercial purposes.These experiments typically include experiments that are miniaturized or used for functions like earth observations and amateur radio.

CubeSats are used to show technology for spacecraft designed for smaller satellites or with uncertain feasibility and aren't likely to justify the expense of the larger satellite. Experiments in science with no basis for theory could be placed on CubeSats due to their cost-effectiveness. It could justify greater risks.

The biological research payloads were flown in several missions, and more are planned. Several initiatives to reach space to the Moon and beyond have been planned to use CubeSats. One of the first CubeSats in space was launched by the MarCO mission, which saw 2 CubeSats launched toward Mars in May of 2018 along with InSight.

Certain CubeSats have been transformed into the first satellites of nations that state-owned universities, public institutions, or private firms are launching. The searchable Nanosatellite and CubeSat Database lists more than 3,200 CubeSats that have been launched and are scheduled to launch in 1998.

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