> I was wondering if it really was a good idea to spread so many little things i... | Hacker News

Hacker Newsnew | past | comments | ask | show | jobs | submit

		ProblemFactory on Aug 28, 2016 \| parent \| context \| favorite \| on: KickSat: open source spacecraft project > I was wondering if it really was a good idea to spread so many little things in orbit Something I've been wondering: why are all small cubesats designed as stand-alone satellites that are detached from a launcher? Why not instead build one big satellite, with shared solar panels and a deorbit engine, and sell "shelf space" for numerous small scientific modules that remain attached to it?

chris_va on Aug 28, 2016 | [–]

Most of the small sat stuff isn't for science work. Commercial entities want to reorient on demand, manage their own coms and antenna direction, etc.

What you describe is a good idea, and how most older sats work (just not modularized).

StephenSmith on Aug 28, 2016 | [–]

https://www.astrobotic.com/ is doing it for the moon.

Guidelines | FAQ | Lists | API | Security | Legal | Apply to YC | Contact