甚小型卫星发展综述

介绍了立方星(CubeSat)、片上卫星(SpaceChip)、印制电路板卫星(PCBSat)、多芯片组件卫星(MCMSat)4种甚小型卫星的发展情况和技术特点。CubeSat技术最为成熟,已发射多颗此类卫星,但体积固定,成本较高;SpaceChip是卫星小型化的最终目标,它成本最低,集成度最高,体积最小,但通信距离较短;PCBSat的成本和性能居中,设计复杂度低,且元器件有商用现货供应,但功耗较大;MCMSat综合了PCBSat和SpaceChip的技术特点,技术复杂。我国甚小型卫星可选择优先发展PCBSat;重点突破商用现货元器件的筛选,以及空间应用技术、一体化姿态控制技术、新型微推进技术、轻型高效的蓄电池和太阳电池技术等。

Summarization of Very Small Satellite Development

Development and technical characteristics of four kinds of very small satellite--Cube- Sat, SpaceChip, PCBSat and MCMSat are described. Although CubeSat technology is the most mature and many CubeSats have been launched, the volume of CubeSat is fixed and expensive. SpaceChip as the ultimate goal for spacecraft miniaturization features lowest cost, highest level integration and smallest volume, but the communication range is comparatively short. PCBSat as an optimal tradeoff between cost and performance can be designed easily and use COTS （commer- cial off-the-shelf） electronic components for space, but it requires high power. MCMSat is a hybrid of SpaceChip and PCBSat, but its technology is complex. PCBSat can be a priority in de- velopment of very small satellite in China. Some technologies should be researched, such as screening of COTS components, space application technology, integrated attitude control, new micro-propulsion, light and efficient batteries and advanced solar cells.