NASA experiments with Micro satellites
25 Apr 2008 | 08:33 BST
One small step for nanokind
NASA's Ames Research Center has signed a deal with m2mi to experiment with a system of micro satellites in a bid to improve telecommunications and networking from space.
According to a NASA press release NASA Ames and m2mi will work together to develop what they dub nanosats on a commercial basis.
Nanosatellites weigh between 11 and 110 pounds and are arranged in a cluster or constellation. They are placed in low Earth orbit for the new telecommunications and networking system.
They should be able to provide a global, space-based, high-speed network for communication, data storage and Earth observations.
On the plus side they are cheaper to make and stick in orbit and can be mass produced. If one of them fails it is not so critical for the whole project.
The Nanosatellites will use an Internet protocol and will mean that voice over IP will also be run over the networks. NASA will provide the expertise in nanosensors, wireless networks and nanosatellite technologies, while m2mi will provide the software technology, sensors, global system awareness, adaptive control and commercialisation capabilities. µ
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