New Launch and Propulsion Technologies, Intersatellite Links and Market Consolidation to Redefine SmallSats

Joining the Constellations Podcast at the recent Small Sat Conference, Leena Pivovarova, NSR Analyst, covered a range of topics that will have significant impact on the persona of the small sat industry. With respect to the role of governments, Leena states that in addition to their regulatory oversight, they are also participants, customers, enablers, facilitators. Because of this, there really must be alignment and government support, which includes having supporting regulations that enable, instead of kind of stifle innovation.

On the little discussed topic of sea launches, Leena points out their many advantages including a broader range of orbits one can launch to, lack of geographic confinement, and for governments, the ability to launch more stealthily than before.

Once launched, new propulsion technology will unlock a lot of new capabilities for smallsats, including easier and more flexible maneuverability, faster reaction times and better utilization of payload space. Leena sees an exciting future with the emergence of software defined capabilities, intersatellite links, more efficient use of spectrum and so much more.