New Micro Satellite concept for observation missions

We give a name "New Micro Satellite" here for highly-functional and compact satellites ranging from a few kilograms to two hundred kilograms of total mass. This new concept of satellite system is composed of one or several units on a base of "System on Panel" concept to embed various functions and hardware into a single panel structure for downsizing of the whole system, whose name is analogous to "System on Chip" in the integrated circuit designing. The drastic changes in functions and sizes of satellite system like this is supposed to be assured by the recent progress in electrical system such as personal computer and portable handy phone, and this concept is also expected to lead its way to effective realization of existing missions and creation of new missions in the future. This paper outlines "New Micro Satellite", and several types of new mission concepts are proposed to make better use of the particular feature is proposed. (C) 2000 Published by Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.