Cubesats and smallsats Archives

Lab-on-chip Technologies For Space Research -- NASA

AI - Data - Apps - Cybernetics, Astropharmacy / Biotechnology, Biophysics, Biosignatures & Paleobiology, Commercial & Private Sector, Cubesats and smallsats, Exploration Gear & Tech, Genomics, Proteomics, Bioinformatics, Microbiology & Virology, Microgravity, Missions & Hardware, Nanotechnology & SynBio, Sample Return, Space Life Science, Space Stations, Status Report, Tricorders & Sensors

Lab-on-chip Technologies For Space Research — Current Trends and Prospects

by Keith CowingSeptember 30, 2024October 16, 2024

The in-depth analysis concerning application of microfluidic instruments for space biology research is presented.

Schematic raytrace of the STAMP-1 instrument. The 40 cm primary mirror feeds a two-channel spectrograph with a next-generation microshutter array as the multi-object selection mechanism at telescope focus. -- astro-ph.IM

Astronomy & Telescopes, Cubesats and smallsats, Exoplanets, -moons, -comets, Habitable Zones, Imaging & Spectroscopy, Status Report

The Smallsat Technology Accelerated Maturation Platform-1 (STAMP-1): A Proposal to Advance Ultraviolet Science, Workforce, and Technology for the Habitable Worlds Observatory

by Keith CowingJuly 25, 2024July 25, 2024

NASA’s Great Observatories Maturation Program (GOMAP) will advance the science definition, technology, and workforce needed for the Habitable Worlds Observatory (HWO) with the goal of a Phase A start by […]

Cubesats and smallsats, Microbiology & Virology, Microgravity, Missions & Hardware, Radiation, Space Life Science, Status Report

Biosentinel Deep Space Mission

by Keith CowingJuly 21, 2024July 7, 2024

BioSentinel was launched as a secondary payload on the space launch system (SLS) Artemis I mission on November 16, 2022, and is currently in a heliocentric orbit at approx. 36 […]

Commercial & Private Sector, Cubesats and smallsats, Interstellar, Missions & Hardware, Proxima Centauri, Status Report

Swarming Proxima Centauri: Coherent Picospacecraft Swarms Over Interstellar Distances

by Keith CowingMay 18, 2024July 12, 2025

Tiny gram-scale interstellar probes pushed by laser light are likely to be the only technology capable of reaching another star this century. We presuppose availability by mid-century of a laser […]

(Left) Photon upper stage with the Venus probe inside the Electron rocket fairing, courtesy of Rocket Lab. (Right) Schematic of the drag modulation aerocapture concept. -- astro-ph.EP

Commercial & Private Sector, Cubesats and smallsats, Exploration Gear & Tech, Mars, Missions & Hardware, Status Report, Tricorders & Sensors, Venus

Photon Spacecraft and Aerocapture: Enabling Small Low-Circular Orbiters at Mars and Venus

by Keith CowingMay 18, 2024May 18, 2024

With advancements in low-cost launchers and small interplanetary spacecraft, NASA has recognized the potential of small missions to perform focused planetary science investigations at Mars and Venus.

Conferences and Meetings, Cubesats and smallsats, Missions & Hardware, Status Report

Workshop: Microsatellites And Their Use In Planetary And Astrobiology Research

by Keith CowingMarch 30, 2024March 30, 2024

Tartu, Estonia, 24-31 August 2024

Artist’s impression of swarm passing by Proxima Centauri and Proxima b. The swarm’s extent is ∼10 larger than the planet’s, yet the ∼5000-km spacing is such that one or more probes will come close to or even impact the planet (flare on limb). It should be possible to do transmission spectroscopy with such swarms. Green 432/539-nm beams are coms to Earth; red 12,000-nm laser beacons are for intra-swarm probe-to-probe coms. Conceptual artwork courtesy of Michel Lamontagne, P.Eng. -- astro-ph.IM

AI - Data - Apps - Cybernetics, Cubesats and smallsats, Missions & Hardware, Nanotechnology & SynBio, Proxima Centauri, Status Report

Swarming Proxima Centauri: Optical Communication Over Interstellar Distances

by Keith CowingDecember 22, 2023December 22, 2023

Interstellar communications are achievable with gram-scale spacecraft using swarm techniques introduced herein if an adequate energy source, clocks and a suitable communications protocol exist.

Astronomy & Telescopes, Cubesats and smallsats, Exoplanets, -moons, -comets, Habitable Zones, Imaging & Spectroscopy, Space Weather & Heliophysics, Status Report

Observing M Dwarfs UV and Optical Flares From A CubeSat And Their Implications For Exoplanets Habitability

by Keith CowingFebruary 27, 2023February 27, 2023

M dwarfs show the highest rocky planet occurrence among all spectral types, in some instances within the Habitable Zone.

Cubesats and smallsats, Exoplanets, -moons, -comets, Habitable Zones, Press Release

The Star-Planet Activity Research CubeSat (SPARCS): Determining Inputs to Planetary Habitability

by Keith CowingNovember 14, 2022November 14, 2022

Seventy-five billion low-mass stars in our galaxy host at least one small planet in their habitable zone (HZ). The stellar ultraviolet (UV) radiation received by the planets is strong and […]

Astronomy & Telescopes, Cubesats and smallsats, Exoplanets, -moons, -comets, Imaging & Spectroscopy, Press Release

Twinkle: A Small Satellite Spectroscopy Mission For The Next Phase Of Exoplanet Science

by Keith CowingSeptember 12, 2022

With a focus on off-the-shelf components, Twinkle is the first in a series of cost competitive small satellites managed and financed by Blue Skies Space Ltd. The satellite is based […]

Cubesats and smallsats

Lab-on-chip Technologies For Space Research — Current Trends and Prospects

The Smallsat Technology Accelerated Maturation Platform-1 (STAMP-1): A Proposal to Advance Ultraviolet Science, Workforce, and Technology for the Habitable Worlds Observatory

Biosentinel Deep Space Mission

Swarming Proxima Centauri: Coherent Picospacecraft Swarms Over Interstellar Distances

Photon Spacecraft and Aerocapture: Enabling Small Low-Circular Orbiters at Mars and Venus

Workshop: Microsatellites And Their Use In Planetary And Astrobiology Research

Swarming Proxima Centauri: Optical Communication Over Interstellar Distances

Observing M Dwarfs UV and Optical Flares From A CubeSat And Their Implications For Exoplanets Habitability

The Star-Planet Activity Research CubeSat (SPARCS): Determining Inputs to Planetary Habitability

Twinkle: A Small Satellite Spectroscopy Mission For The Next Phase Of Exoplanet Science

Tricorder Tech: Ground Truth For The DAVINCI Venus Mission

Mars Curiosity Rover Finds Evidence Of An Ancient Sandstorm

Pristine Meteorite Examination Adds To Our Knowledge Of Ancient Asteroids

NASA Study Finds Near-Earth Asteroid Is Actually Comet

NASA Awards STRIDE Contracts For Mars Advanced Surface Mobility Technology