Microsatellites overview
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exactEarth deploys microsatellites to collect AIS data and transmit it back to earth stations for processing. Microsatellites are a recent innovation made possible by some of the same technological advancements that have enabled advanced consumer electronics to get smaller year after year. A typical microsatellite may weigh 100 kg, compared to traditional larger satellites which are often measured in tons. Other terms often used in this regard are "nanosats" and "cubesats" which are usually around 10 kg in mass. exactEarth also utilizes some of these smaller satellites in its constellation. |
Microsatellites offer several important advantages:
- They can be designed, built and launched for a fraction of the cost of traditional satellites.
- They can be completed within a much shorter time frame.
- Due to the low cost and rapid build cycle, operators are more willing to make use of leading edge electronics or software technology considered “too risky” to deploy on costlier large satellites.
These advantages make it feasible to launch a constellation of microsatellites that orbit the Earth continuously, passing within view of any particular spot fairly often. In a “low-earth orbit” of several hundred kilometres, microsatellites are capable of detecting transmissions from relatively low-powered equipment at ground or sea level.
Microsatellites are ideally suited for applications like low resolution surveillance, environmental monitoring, or remote area tracking.