SMALLSATS AND THE MOON: PROVIDING THE 'PICKS AND SHOVELS' FOR THE 21ST CENTURY'S GREATEST EXPLORATION ENDEAVOUR

摘要

Small spacecraft have an enviable history of changing the economics of space. Space development and exploration has historically been costly, and going beyond Earth orbit even more so. However the cost-performance balance of small spacecraft has increased to the point where new commercial business cases using space infrastructure can be enabled. This paper outlines SSTL's approach to low cost missions, and the value of the services which small satellites can provide to explorers, in particular of the Moon. The paper briefly outlines SSTL's heritage in low cost space missions, pointing out a number of reasons why such missions have gained sufficient credibility to advance beyond Earth orbit to the challenging environment of the Moon and inner planets. UK government goals for low space missions, and particular interests in lunar exploration for science, commerce and outreach are described, and provide a rationale for why SSTL should lead the UK's first lunar mission. An orbiter and a lander mission concept developed by SSTL for the UK government are summarised, and have shown the validity of the small satellite approach. In the context of growing international interest in the Moon, this paper looks at how commerce can be linked to exploration, and identifies services where value can be defined on or around the Moon in the next several years. An outline business model for lunar communications relay is proposed for discussion. Ongoing UK activities in exploration, involving small spacecraft are listed, and we conclude the paper by summarising with the case for using small satellite to support and underpin the global exploration initiative of the Moon and other planetary bodies.