Small Spacecraft Body of Knowledge

Over the past several years, significant investments have been made in small spacecraft technology, science payload instruments, launch systems, and related efforts to include workforce development to support and cultivate emerging disciplines and applications created as a result of the platform’s continued success. The Small Spacecraft Systems Virtual Institute (S3VI) is chartered to work with the community to capture and share the knowledge gained through these efforts and continue to build upon not only the technological capabilities enabled by the products of our efforts but also to learn from our lessons along the way.

A key feature of the S3VI web portal is the Small Spacecraft Body of Knowledge (SSBoK), an online resource to host NASA’s new community supported Small Spacecraft Technology State of the Art Report; lessons learned collected from small spacecraft missions, system and subsystem development, and related activities; testing and reliability data, and other content important in providing the US small spacecraft research community with access to mission enabling information in one location.

The S3VI works with its stakeholders and members of the community to identify the scope of the databases existing and needed to provide information effective in supporting streamlined development approaches and processes for small spacecraft.

The first databases in this collection are listed below. The Small Spacecraft Technology State of the Art Report, a S3VI funded activity, provides an overview of the current state of the art of small spacecraft technology. NASA’s TechPort offers access to the agency’s portfolio of technology development efforts including those for small spacecraft. The Small Business Innovation Research / Small Business Technology Transfer (SBIR/STTR) database hosts its investments in technology and research across all government agencies.

• SmallSat Parts On Orbit Now (SPOON). This database includes small satellite components, including payloads, flight processors, antennas, propulsion systems, ground station equipment, star trackers, and more.
• Small Spacecraft Technology State-of-the-Art. The S3VI is currently collecting information regarding the State of the Art for technology, components, and systems relevant to small spacecraft for Earth and interplanetary mission design via the SPOON Request for Information. The community is invited to contribute content to this database.
  • State of the Art Small Spacecraft Technology 2023
  • State of the Art Small Spacecraft Technology 2022
  • State of the Art Small Spacecraft Technology 2021
  • State of the Art Small Spacecraft Technology 2020
  • State of the Art Small Spacecraft Technology 2018
  • State of the Art Small Spacecraft Technology 2015
  • State of the Art Small Spacecraft Technology 2014
• TechPort. The Technology Portfolio System, TechPort, is NASA’s first comprehensive resource for locating information about NASA-funded technology development activities. This system enables the public to explore NASA’s technology portfolio and learn about technology programs and projects, as NASA works to mature technologies for aeronautics, space exploration, and scientific discovery missions.
• NASA Electronic Parts and Packaging (NEPP) Program. The NEPP Program generates technical knowledge and recommendations about electrical, electronic, electromechanical (EEE) part performance, application, failure modes, test methods, reliability and supply chain quality within the context of NASA space flight missions and hardware.
• SBIR/STTR. Search research and technology development projects in small spacecraft as well as other topic areas funded by SBIR/STTR.

Study reports, manuscripts and presentations from workshops and conferences focused on various topics associated with small spacecraft will be hosted on this webpage.

• NASA Astrophysics CubeSats and SmallSats: Current and Future Prospects (January 2020)
• Achieving Science with CubeSats: Thinking Inside the Box (2016). Download the Report in Brief
• Improving Mission Success of CubeSats
• CubeSat Developers’ Workshop Archives
• Small Satellite Conference Proceedings
• Deep Space Symposium / Cube Quest Ground Tournament 4

NASA releases new documents and updates to existing documents related to space flight system design and other areas.

• ARC STD 8070: Space Flight System Design and Environmental Test

The recently released CubeSat 101 tutorial developed by NASA’s CubeSat Launch Initiative provides basic concepts and processes for first-time CubeSat developers.

• CubeSat 101

The rapid growth and innovation in space activities has the potential to bring many new benefits to humanity, but also needs to be done in a sustainable manner to ensure we can continue to use space in the future. Secure World Foundation (SWF) developed the Handbook for New Actors in Space to provide a broad overview of the fundamental principles, laws, norms, and best practices for peaceful, safe, and responsible activities in space. It includes information on the international framework and principles for space activities; the role of national laws, policy, and administration in providing oversight and coordination of space activities; and best practices for conducting space activities from pre-launch licensing through on-orbit operations and end-of-life disposal. The Handbook is specifically targeted at countries developing national space policies and regulations; and start-up companies, universities, and other non-governmental entities beginning their first foray into space activities; but is an effective resource for all space actors.