CubeSat

CubeSats are miniaturized satellites built to standard dimensions, revolutionizing access to space for universities, startups, and developing nations.

Standard Sizes

• 1U: 10×10×10 cm (~1-2 kg)

• 2U: 10×10×20 cm (~2-4 kg)

• 3U: 10×10×30 cm (~3-6 kg)

• 6U: 10×20×30 cm (~6-12 kg)

• 12U: 20×20×30 cm (~12-24 kg)

Regulatory Status CubeSats typically qualify for:

• No automatic light regime: the EU Space Act proposal's light regime is not based on spacecraft size (Art. 10); it covers research and education, simplified risk management and IOD/IOV missions of small-sized enterprises and research or education institutions

• CubeSats are exempt from the passivation-redundancy requirement in the proposal (Annex V point 1.2.1(e)(iv))

• Insurance waivers or reductions in some national laws (e.g. Austria for activities in the public interest, Weltraumgesetz § 4(4))

• Academic exemptions (in some jurisdictions)

Debris Considerations Despite small size, CubeSats must:

• Comply with debris mitigation guidelines

• Ensure timely deorbit (IADC: 25 years; the EU Space Act proposal leaves the figure to an implementing act)

• Consider deployable drag devices

• Avoid trackability concerns

Deployment Methods

• ISS deployment (JAXA, NanoRacks)

• Dedicated small satellite launchers

• Rideshare on larger missions

• Orbital transfer vehicles

Capabilities Modern CubeSats can perform:

• Earth observation

• Communications relay

• Technology demonstration

• Scientific research

• IoT connectivity