For the first time in the history of the U.S. space program, all the new spacecraft programs proposed in 1996 called for smaller satellites. But also over the last five years, proponents of smaller satellites have proven the point that smaller vehicles can do many missions, that according to conventional wisdom, could only be done by the type of very large and very expensive satellites known throughout the U.S. defense industry as Battlestar Galacticas.
Small satellites deliver significantly more bang for the federal buck.
They are exponentially more affordable, are delivered fasterand provide quicker access to desired data. Because they are lower cost, customers can afford to accept greater risk by using less proven, but potentially beneficial advanced technologies. Increasingly innovative designs, which have led to smaller, more technologically advanced components. Tremendous competition and restructuring in the small satellite industry. Of 21 entrants to the small satellite game since the mid-1980s, only seven companies remain today with real hardware to show for their efforts.