Nanosatellites are a booming technology that is allowing the transformation of the space sector, making it more accessible, innovative and efficient. “They are democratizing access to space, allowing not only the large space and multinational agencies, but also universities and small businesses, can launch their own satellites,” says Carlos Monzo Sánchez, professor of computer, multimedia and telecommunication studies of UOC. Nanosatellites are small satellites, usually with a weight less than 10 kilograms. One of the most outstanding features is its standardization under the Cubesat format, which consists of cubic units of 10x10x10 centimeters and a mass of approximately 1 to 1.33 kilograms. “These units can be combined to form larger satellites, such as 1.5U, 2U, 3U or 6U, adapting to different needs and missions,” he clarifies. They are distinguished by their small size, reduced cost, rapid development, adaptability and ability to form constellations. Given these characteristics, they allow to promote technological innovation, create constellations to improve its interconnection and perform many tasks, such as land observation, monitoring of natural phenomena, application in agriculture or disaster management, among others.
In recent years, there has been an increase in the number of nanosatellites released. “This is due to the reduction of costs and development times, which has allowed more actors, including governments, private companies and universities, participating in space missions,” says the teacher. Likewise, this democratization in access to space “has encouraged innovation and has opened new opportunities in the space sector.” On the other hand, nanosatellites are used in a wide range of applications, from land observation and environmental monitoring to telecommunications and scientific research. “In this line, nanosatellites are playing an important role in the Internet of Things (IoT), providing global connectivity and demolishing communication barriers, opening new opportunities for connectivity and data exchange,” he adds. As in other sectors, nanosatellites have benefited from technological advances such as component miniaturization, artificial intelligence implementation, the improvement of interconnectivity and cost reduction.
The companies in our country are well positioned in the Nanosatellites sector considering innovation and technological development. «The diversity of nanosatellites applications has allowed Spanish firms to explore new markets and opportunities. Also, international collaborations are important and is another factor that is allowing companies to position, ”he says. One of them is Fossa Systems, which has just launched its new generation of nanosatellites. «Although Nanosatellites are only part of the Newspace movement, they represent a fundamental change in how space projects are executed. Companies like Planet and Spire have demonstrated successful business models with this technology, ”says their CEO and co -founder, Julián Fernández. The strategy of this firm is based on small nanosatellites that “allow to offer efficient solutions focused on niches such as IoT communications and solving real problems from space.”
Fossa Systems has stood out as «the only European company that vertically controls the design, manufacture and operation of nanosatellites to provide standardized IoT connectivity», Highlights the CEO. This allows them to be fast and flexible, offering solutions adapted to the needs of their clients, especially in the field of satellite IoT. “Initially we develop picosatellites, but we evolve towards Nanosatellites to address demands of greater capacity, integrating high gain antennas and advanced control and power systems,” says Fernández. In addition, his ability to design personalized missions as the case of use “makes us a key actor in the new era of access to space, offering critical services that support the digitalization of global industries,” he adds.
From Fossa Systems they believe that the main challenge in the manufacture of nanosatellites is to achieve miniaturization without compromising performance and guaranteeing its reliability in extreme environments. “Additionally, managing logistics, supply chain and complying with international regulations are important challenges,” he clarifies. Their verticalized model allows them to address these problems efficiently, controlling all stages of development, from design to operation. And he points out that although nanosatellites are smaller and more economical, they require a high degree of innovation to meet the standards of complex space missions, such as remote asset management.
The Spanish startup Fossa Systems launched on January 14 three nanosatellites aboard the Falcon 9 rocket, from the Transport 12 mission of Space X, from the Vanderberg Air Base, in California
From Alén Space they remember that the space sector has just over 50 years of life and is expected to grow exponentially in the coming decades. «The space, as we know it, will change completely. More and more, the private sector is assuming greater leadership with new commercial solutions, ”says its CEO, Guillermo Lamelas. This Galician company has been working on the manufacture of satellites for 17 years and they feel very proud of having achieved 100% success in all the missions they have developed.
In all this time they have gone mainly Totem SDR (software defined radius) and software to have a porpholio of 15 products. “We offer satellites for any type of application, although we have a long experience in projects associated with communications and the Internet of Things (IoT),” explains CEO, who also highlights some of its main innovations. Through the Satmar project they are working on the digitalization of maritime sector communications with the new VDES standard. “We are also working on the pioneer constellation of Sateliot to provide 5G IoT services from space,” he adds.
Alén Space is going to provide the ESA-Pent mission to the first 16u satellites for the demonstration of technology and will collaborate with Beyond Gravity with the manufacture of components of the useful loads of the satellites that make up the constellation
They are also part of such innovative projects as the Cybercube mission, promoted by the European Space Agency (ESA) and led by GMV, to improve the cybersecurity of the missions in space. Among the missions in which the exploration of lunar caves (Robocrane mission of the European Space Agency), the study of the effects of the space climate on satellite communications on equatorial latitudes (Alfa Crux mission for the University of Brasilia ), The surveillance of the quality of some in reservoirs and swamps in Spain (INTA ANSer mission) or the validation of the use of components of Commercial Electronics Cots in missions in space, also for the European Space Agency.
Sateliot is presented as one of the main companies that is part and that has promoted the Spanish ‘New Space. “Together with other companies we have democratized the space and open new paths in the value chain of the Spanish aerospace industry, either in satellites, rockets or space missions, building among all a country project such as the constellation we are developing” , highlights Jaume Sanpera, CEO and satelliot co -founder.
He considers that the ‘New Space’ has developed in Spain for several factors: an innovative mentality, the creation of a strong and solid technological and scientific network in universities, very competitive costs, the creation of a more corporate industry since the century past and the determining dynamism that European funds have brought.
Sateliot is developing a pioneer technology: “The first satellite constellation that will give 5G NB-ID (Narrow Band, narrow band) connectivity to more than 10 million IoT devices,” says Sanpera. They have closed contracts with more than 400 clients in more than 50 countries worldwide, «because we have realized that there is a need for connection in different industries. We arrive where land networks have no coverage, 80% of the surface of our planet, ”he says.
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