Page 32 - International Space Station Benefits for Humanity, 3rd edition.

With time, the ISS will give companies the experience
they need to think more holistically and confidently
about conducting business in space. Use of the space station to mature
technologies has helped trigger
International Space Station Role in Small rapid growth in the numbers of
Satellite Market Development CubeSats deployed.
The modern small satellite (SmallSat) revolution began
in the 1990s with advances in low-power, highly
integrated and lightweight microelectronics. CubeSats
are small satellites designed to specific standards.
One CubeSat unit is 10 x 10 x 10 cm (4 x 4 x 4 inches), deployed. At the time the space station launched its
which have come to represent 87% of all SmallSats first batch in 2012, only 23 launches were documented
launched as of 2017. SmallSats offer many advantages for the entire year. However, from 2012 to 2017, more
over their large, conventional counterparts, including than 725 CubeSats were launched with the launch rate
simplified development, relative ease of construction growing by 66% annually over this period.
and testing, and lower launch costs. Collectively,
the ISS Program’s actions and initiatives have had As discussed previously, Planet is one commercial
the effect of enabling and accelerating the emergence success story that illustrates how the ISS can provide
of a market based on SmallSat technology. early access to space, allowing new business models
to prove themselves and attract the investment
Direct ISS involvement with SmallSats began in 2012, capital needed to truly take off in the marketplace.
when the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency From 2013 through 2016, Planet used the space
(JAXA) deployed the first five CubeSat investigations station to validate its business model. Planet was able
via the Japanese Experiment Module Small Satellite to enter the marketplace 2 years earlier than planned
Orbital Deployer (J-SSOD). In 2013, NanoRacks, LLC by demonstrating its ability to provide snapshots of
became the first commercial entity to utilize the ISS as the Earth at a useful resolution of 3 to 5 meters (10
a platform for CubeSat deployment using the J-SSOD. to 16 feet) on a daily basis using a fleet of CubeSats
In cooperation with JAXA and NASA, NanoRacks deployed from the ISS. In 2018, with an estimated
developed, tested and launched the NanoRacks annual revenue of $64.4 million and value exceeding
CubeSat Deployer (NRCSD) in 2014. Between 2014 $1 billion, Planet currently operates a fleet of more than
and 2017, NanoRacks deployed 176 CubeSats using 175 satellites and employs more than 470 people.
NRCSD, thereby demonstrating that the market for
high-capacity SmallSat deployment is growing. Planet no longer utilizes the ISS, having moved to
commercial launch providers to expand its services
The significant developments in satellite technologies, and constellation of satellites. Not only has the Earth-
as well as the unique availability of the ISS as a imaging technology matured, the business model has
testbed and deployment platform for SmallSats, proven viable without further ISS involvement. A new
has attracted commercial entities. Examples of the market for medium resolution photography from LEO
technological “firsts” attempted by commercial entities is quickly developing.
using CubeSats launched from ISS include the first
commercial optical communication downlink system Where SmallSats were once the exclusive domain
(Analytical Space, Inc.) and the first commercial of research institutes and universities, today, 51% of
high-precision small satellite orientation and control SmallSats are being developed by the private sector
system (Blue Canyon Technologies). Examples of other and 67% of all SmallSats are developed to provide
technology demonstrations include the first utilization commercial services. ISS-based deployment helped
of a radar instrument on a CubeSat, the first CubeSat demonstrate the potential uses of SmallSats and
to de-orbit itself using an inflatable balloon, and the generate interest from the private sector. In that sense,
first CubeSat to employ a new hybrid (dual-purpose) the ISS performed its mission well—to be an innovator
antenna and solar power system. and a locus for experimentation and an incubator
encouraging economic growth.
Use of the space station to mature technologies has
helped trigger rapid growth in the numbers of CubeSats

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