Space for nodular development

Sensing nodes for use in miniature satellites weighing less than 100g are to be developed in the UK with support from NASA and Surrey Satellite Technology.

Hundreds of such Picosatellites, each less than one cubic centimetre in size, could be used to provide low-cost continuous communication or Earth imaging.

Researchers at Edinburgh and Surrey universities are working with small satellite specialist SSTL and NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) to develop and test the nodes in a project due to begin this summer.

The System on Chip devices will comprise a processor, sensor, wireless communication link and a power source.

The nodes will be capable of communicating with each other, working together in a network to jointly carry out sensing tasks.

This could allow the picosatellites to form large space telescopes or antennas for high bandwidth communication. In space exploration, constellations of picosatellites could also be placed around the Moon or Mars to provide continuous communication with surface rovers or take images of the planet.