The CSCA Canadian SmallSat Symposium

Canada has been a world leader in applying niche expertise to achieve substantial impact in the space sector. Maintaining that leadership in a commercial environment that is presenting dramatic new business plans at an accelerating pace will require a combination of focus and innovation. Being ready for the challenge will require work and investment, but Canada has some advantages to exploit.

As we are all aware, the world of “space” is changing dramatically and rapidly.  The small satellite “revolution” is but one aspect, albeit an important component, with respect to these changes.  And it is a global phenomenon requiring global thinking and action in order to preserve the future of space for future generations – the unique role of the United Nations Committee on the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space: UN COPUOS.  This talk will provide some background to the  Committee and focus on current activities addressing the development of guidelines that are trying to maintain the fine balance of opening space to new initiatives while ensuring responsible actions are put in place to maintain the safety, security and sustainability of space activities.

The smallsats (<500 kg mass satellites) market is going through significant expansion in terms of capabilities and demand. In the last couple of years, numerous companies have produced solutions, largely based around a constellation approach, to better deliver services and reach out to new users. The smallsat market has quickly expanded over the last five years and will experience a sustained expansion in the future. Over 6,200 smallsats are expected to be launched over the next 10 years, a substantial increase over the previous decade. This will correspond to $16.5 billion in manufacturing market value from 2017 to 2026, and $14.5 billion in launch services.

These solutions are supported by new ventures, entrepreneurs investing in space in this so-called new or adaptive space environment. The logic of lower-cost constellations is to provide global connectivity from one system (satcom) or high-frequency change detection (in Earth observation) or connecting devices and vehicles (Information) for the Internet of Things, Machine to Machine, and traffic monitoring (AIS or ADS-B). It is aided by the advancement of satellite system miniaturization permitted by new technologies and/or advances in related sectors, particularly in computational technology with smallsats now providing operational services that were previously only achievable through heavier satellites.

SFL reflects on 20 years of breakthroughs in developing smaller satellites for demanding applications.  Current integration and cost trends in the small satellite industry are discussed, while SFL looks ahead to what the future may hold for small satellite manufacturers and service providers.

MDA is Canada’s largest space company. While MDA is best known for large missions like the RADARSAT series of satellites, including the upcoming launch of the RADARSAT Constellation Mission (RCM), MDA, along with our affiliated companies within the Maxar Technologies family, is involved more and more in smallsat missions. This talk will introduce the audience to some of MDA’s activities in this exciting sector; past, present, and future.