The Era Of Nanosatellites : Pehuensat Development Status

Abstract

Nowadays it is possible to achieve low cost and short production times space missions using satellites with a mass below 10 kg. These small satellites are described as nanosatellites. Current microelectronic technology makes it possible to develop nanosatellites for scientific experiments and relatively complex measurements (as well as for other applications) making it easy for universities and small research groups to have access to space science exploration and to exploit the new economic possibilities that emerge.This chapter, describes an experiment developed in Argentina at the Universidad Nacional del Comahue to design and construct a nanosatellite called Pehuensat-1.