Strategic vision, infra-structure and enhanced configurations for developing cost-effective nano-satellites for future deep space missions

Abstract

This paper attemps to present the major strategies to envision the further development of Nano-satellites (particularly in the range of 1 to 10 kilograms) and needed infra-structure to attain highly challenging mission objections in the near future which are presently delivered with larger satellites. The Nano-satellites to the most extent have proven their caliber in Low Earth Orbits (LEOs) due to several successful launches in the recent decades and based on practical observation, the capabilities possessed by these cost-effective technology based range of satellites can be aspired to explore various other portions of the deep space significantly. For this to be achieved, a detailed path has to be deviced at different levels of execution over a period of time with a completely dedicated thought process, planning, simulating, experimenting, evaluating and documenting respectively. In this research, the MEMS technology is considered to be most potential tool to maintain the cost-effectivity of Nano-satellites if implemented with well-balanced and space adoptable techniques. Hence, all these factors under scrutiny with a detail decription of combined benefits of MEMS and Nano-satellites which are contemplated for deep space exploration forms the nucleus of this paper. Lastly, A thorough critical analysis is presented with substantial conclusions.