Small Satellites: Transforming Space-Based Communications

When we think of satellites, we imagine large, complex machines orbiting Earth thousands of kilometers away — expensive to build, challenging to launch, and reserved for governments or massive corporations. This image is accurate for traditional satellites. Take for example, the Solar Dynamics Observatory, launched by National Aeronautics and Space Association (NASA). The satellite sent up to observe the Sun weighed 6,800 pounds and was built at a cost of $850 million. However, today’s satellite technology has made this image outdated. Satellites today are evolving at an extraordinary pace, and small satellites, or “smallsats,” are leading the charge in this evolution.

The development of these compact, efficient machines began for the purpose of education, and experimentation in miniaturization and cost reduction. Another unlikely factor that contributed to the development of small satellites is the boom in smartphone manufacturing. The low-cost, integrated components such as processors and sensors used in these phones are also required in satellites. As these components have become cheaper, more standardised, and resilient, so have our satellites. Today, these devices can handle increasingly complex tasks and are now redefining the possibilities of space exploration and communication.

Their popularity can be understood by the fact that there are seven smallsats in space for every 10 satellites, according to a 2024 estimate by the Union of Concerned Scientists, a non-profit focused on educating people on health, safety, and environment.

Their light weight, cost-effectiveness, and versatility make them a crucial component of decentralized Internet infrastructures like Spacecoin’s. Let’s dive deeper into smallsats, and how Spacecoin is combining these with blockchain-based networks like Creditcoin to create space-based Internet infrastructure that can ensure reliable connectivity across the globe.

What Is a Small Satellite?

Small satellites are broadly defined as satellites weighing less than 500 kilograms. Unlike traditional satellites, which often require years of development and massive launch vehicles, small satellites can be rapidly designed, manufactured, and launched on smaller rockets or even as secondary payloads alongside larger satellites.

Types of Small Satellites

While there is no official categorization of small satellites, they are categorized based on various factors including their size, mass, applications, and orbit. The most common types of small satellites include:

1. Cubesats: These are standardized, cube-shaped satellites measuring 10x10x10 cm per unit, with a typical mass of 1.33 kg per unit. Cubesats are highly modular, often combining multiple units to expand functionality. They are widely used for educational purposes, scientific research, and low-cost technology demonstrations.

2. Nanosatellites (Nanosats): Nanosats weigh between 1 and 10 kilograms and are about the size of a microwave. Despite their small size, they can perform diverse tasks, including Earth observation and communication, thanks to advances in miniaturized technology.

3. Microsatellites (Microsats): These weigh between 10 and 100 kilograms and are comparable to a desk printer in size. They offer greater capabilities than cubesats or nanosats, making them ideal for commercial missions, such as remote sensing or space-based Internet of Things (IoT) connectivity.

The rise of small satellites has unlocked several key advantages, particularly in terms of cost, deployment speed, and scalability. These benefits are critical for industries seeking innovative ways to use space-based technology.

Why Small Satellites Matter

1. Cost Efficiency: Traditional satellites can cost hundreds of millions — or even billions — of dollars to design, build, and launch. In contrast, small satellites can be developed for as little as hundreds of thousands of dollars, depending on their size and complexity. This affordability has democratized access to space, enabling smaller organizations, universities, and startups to participate in the space economy.

2. Rapid Deployment: Development timelines for traditional satellites often span 5–15 years, while small satellites can be built and launched in about eight months. This rapid turnaround allows for quicker responses to emerging needs, whether monitoring natural disasters or testing new technologies such as decentralized communication networks.

3. Scalability and Modularity: Small satellites can be tailored to specific applications, making them highly versatile. A single cubesat, for instance, can be equipped with sensors for Earth observation, while a constellation of nanosats can be configured to provide global communication coverage. This modularity allows organizations to scale their operations incrementally, deploying additional satellites as needs evolve.

Applications of Small Satellites

Small satellites are driving innovation across a wide range of sectors, including communication, scientific research, and industrial operations.

They are playing a pivotal role in monitoring the planet. With high-resolution imaging and advanced sensors, they can track deforestation, assess the impacts of climate change, and monitor the health of the planet.

In the realm of communication, small satellite constellations are bridging the digital divide. By deploying fleets of nanosats in low-Earth orbit, companies can deliver high-speed Internet to remote and underserved regions. This capability is especially transformative for rural communities, where traditional infrastructure like fiber-optic cables and cell towers are costly and difficult to implement.

Small satellites are critical to the growth of IoT applications. They provide reliable connectivity for IoT devices in remote areas, enabling applications such as precision agriculture, pipeline monitoring, and fleet management. For instance, farmers can use satellite-enabled IoT sensors to track soil conditions and optimize crop yields, even in regions with limited terrestrial connectivity.

Universities and research institutions are also leveraging small satellites for a variety of experiments, from testing new materials in space to conducting biological studies in microgravity. Their affordability allows researchers to take more risks, accelerating the pace of scientific discovery.

Small Satellites and Spacecoin

Small satellites are a key component of Spacecoin’s decentralized Internet infrastructure. By powering our network with smallsat constellations in LEO, we are building a resilient infrastructure that will transcend the limitations and bottlenecks of traditional, centralized Internet service providers.

Combining the smallsat technology blockchain-based systems like Creditcoin, Spacecoin is rewriting the rules of global Internet access. For Spacecoin, smallsat constellations enable network resilience by minimizing reliance on terrestrial infrastructure and distributed operations. Simultaneously, blockchain technology allows for decentralization and immutability, making the network secure and reliable. These features will help Spacecoin address global challenges, from bridging the digital divide to enhancing financial inclusion.

This blog is the second in a three-part series exploring the core technologies powering Spacecoin. You can read the first part, on low-Earth orbit, here. To follow the latest happenings in the Spacecoin ecosystem, follow us on X or join our Discord.