Small satellite projects in the European Space Agency (ESA)

Small satellites are becoming more important in the ESA programme for, by investing in small satellite technology, ESA expects to apply the results and experience gained to larger missions with a view to reducing the cost. Also, small satellite design and project management is good training for the engineers and managers who will take responsibility for larger projects in the future. To date ESA has launched one small satellite, which was built in a very short time-scale by young graduate students and ESA staff. Two others are in preparation the PROBA mission, which addresses technology developments in general for future missions, and the SMART-1 mission, which is specifically aimed at proving the use of electric propulsion.