The Role of Small Satellite Missions in Global Change Studies

Abstract

There is an increasing need for Earth Observation (EO) missions to meet the information requirements in connection with Global Change Studies. Small and cost-effective missions are powerful tools to flexibly react on information requirements with space borne solutions. Small satellite missions can be conducted relatively quickly and inexpensively and provide increased opportunity for access to space. The spacecraft bus and instruments can be based either on optimised off-the-shelf systems, with little or no requirements for new technology, or on new high-technology systems. Thus a new class of advanced small satellites, including autonomously operating “intelligent” satellites may be created, opening new fields of application for scientific purposes as well as operational, public and commercial services. Further milestones in the small satellite Earth observation mission developments are the availability and improvement of small launchers, the development of small ground station networks connected with rapid and cost-effective data distribution methods, and cost-effective management and quality assurance procedures. Advantages of small satellite missions, complementing the large complex missions are: more frequent mission opportunities and therefore faster return of science and application data; larger variety of missions and therefore also greater diversification of potential users; more rapid expansion of the technical and/or scientific knowledge base; and greater involvement of local and small industry. The paper deals with general trends in the field of small satellite missions for Earth observation. Special attention is given to the potential of spatial, spectral, and temporal resolution of small satellite based systems. Examples show that constellations give the unique for small satellites possibility to provide good daily coverage of the globe or/and allow to observe dynamic phenomena.