现代小卫星的发展及轨道垃圾问题

文章首先综述半个多世纪以来传统和现代小卫星的技术发展，特别是现代小卫星在对地观测、通信导航、空间技术实验与演示、深空探测、军事等方面的应用取得很多成就，尤其是对地观测高分辨率成像系统取得了突破性技术成就；其次讨论小卫星所产生的轨道垃圾及其影响和处理；最后提出未来小卫星技术发展十个原则，对未来小卫星的应用作了展望。

The development of modern small satellites and related orbital waste problems

In this paper, the development of small satellite technology over the past five decades is reviewed, including both traditional and modern small satellites, as being used for earth observation, navigation and communication, space technology experiments and demonstrations, deep space exploration, and in military domains, particularly, the breakthrough in high-resolution imaging system of earth observation small satellites. The orbital debris related with small satellites and the effects are discussed, together with some measures to protect against the debris. Finally, ten principles with regard to the future development of small satellite technology are proposed, and the general prospect of future applications of small satellites is commented.