Power, propulsion, and communications for microspacecraft missions

The development small sized, low weight spacecraft has the potential to reduce scientific mission costs through lower fabrication and launch costs. An order of magnitude reduction in spacecraft size can be obtained by miniaturizing components. An additional reduction in spacecraft weight, size, and cost can be obtained by utilizing the synergy that exists between different spacecraft systems. State-of-the-art of three major systems are discussed; spacecraft power, propulsion, and communications. Possible synergies between these systems or between these systems and the payload are identified. Benefits of several of these synergies are discussed.