An Overview of CubeSat Missions and Applications
The proliferation of CubeSats in Earth orbit has accelerated dramatically in recent years, with projections indicating continued growth in the coming decades. This review examines the evolution of CubeSat applications, from basic technology demonstrations to complex mission capabilities, including E...
Saved in:
| Main Authors: | , , , |
|---|---|
| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
MDPI AG
2025-06-01
|
| Series: | Aerospace |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2226-4310/12/6/550 |
| Tags: |
Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
|
| _version_ | 1849435149497794560 |
|---|---|
| author | Konstantinos-Panagiotis Bouzoukis Georgios Moraitis Vassilis Kostopoulos Vaios Lappas |
| author_facet | Konstantinos-Panagiotis Bouzoukis Georgios Moraitis Vassilis Kostopoulos Vaios Lappas |
| author_sort | Konstantinos-Panagiotis Bouzoukis |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | The proliferation of CubeSats in Earth orbit has accelerated dramatically in recent years, with projections indicating continued growth in the coming decades. This review examines the evolution of CubeSat applications, from basic technology demonstrations to complex mission capabilities, including Earth observation, telecommunications, astronomical research, biological experimentation, and deep-space exploration. A notable shift has occurred over the past fifteen years, with CubeSats transitioning from standalone platforms to integrated nodes within larger constellations, particularly for Earth observation and telecommunications applications. We analyze the key enabling factors behind the CubeSat revolution, including decreased launch costs, miniaturized electronics, standardized components, and institutional support frameworks. Through the examination of significant past, current, and planned missions, this paper provides a comprehensive overview of CubeSat capabilities across diverse application domains. The review highlights how these miniaturized satellite platforms are democratizing access to space while enabling innovative scientific and commercial applications previously restricted to larger spacecraft. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-0d204e6739974a07a05f8df60a3bb3d4 |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 2226-4310 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-06-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Aerospace |
| spelling | doaj-art-0d204e6739974a07a05f8df60a3bb3d42025-08-20T03:26:22ZengMDPI AGAerospace2226-43102025-06-0112655010.3390/aerospace12060550An Overview of CubeSat Missions and ApplicationsKonstantinos-Panagiotis Bouzoukis0Georgios Moraitis1Vassilis Kostopoulos2Vaios Lappas3Applied Mechanics Laboratory, Mechanical Engineering and Aeronautics Department, University of Patras, Rio Campus, 26500 Patras, GreeceApplied Mechanics Laboratory, Mechanical Engineering and Aeronautics Department, University of Patras, Rio Campus, 26500 Patras, GreeceApplied Mechanics Laboratory, Mechanical Engineering and Aeronautics Department, University of Patras, Rio Campus, 26500 Patras, GreeceDepartment of Aerospace Science and Technology, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 10679 Athens, GreeceThe proliferation of CubeSats in Earth orbit has accelerated dramatically in recent years, with projections indicating continued growth in the coming decades. This review examines the evolution of CubeSat applications, from basic technology demonstrations to complex mission capabilities, including Earth observation, telecommunications, astronomical research, biological experimentation, and deep-space exploration. A notable shift has occurred over the past fifteen years, with CubeSats transitioning from standalone platforms to integrated nodes within larger constellations, particularly for Earth observation and telecommunications applications. We analyze the key enabling factors behind the CubeSat revolution, including decreased launch costs, miniaturized electronics, standardized components, and institutional support frameworks. Through the examination of significant past, current, and planned missions, this paper provides a comprehensive overview of CubeSat capabilities across diverse application domains. The review highlights how these miniaturized satellite platforms are democratizing access to space while enabling innovative scientific and commercial applications previously restricted to larger spacecraft.https://www.mdpi.com/2226-4310/12/6/550nanosatelliteCubeSatCubeSat missionsearth observationtelecommunicationastronomy |
| spellingShingle | Konstantinos-Panagiotis Bouzoukis Georgios Moraitis Vassilis Kostopoulos Vaios Lappas An Overview of CubeSat Missions and Applications Aerospace nanosatellite CubeSat CubeSat missions earth observation telecommunication astronomy |
| title | An Overview of CubeSat Missions and Applications |
| title_full | An Overview of CubeSat Missions and Applications |
| title_fullStr | An Overview of CubeSat Missions and Applications |
| title_full_unstemmed | An Overview of CubeSat Missions and Applications |
| title_short | An Overview of CubeSat Missions and Applications |
| title_sort | overview of cubesat missions and applications |
| topic | nanosatellite CubeSat CubeSat missions earth observation telecommunication astronomy |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2226-4310/12/6/550 |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT konstantinospanagiotisbouzoukis anoverviewofcubesatmissionsandapplications AT georgiosmoraitis anoverviewofcubesatmissionsandapplications AT vassiliskostopoulos anoverviewofcubesatmissionsandapplications AT vaioslappas anoverviewofcubesatmissionsandapplications AT konstantinospanagiotisbouzoukis overviewofcubesatmissionsandapplications AT georgiosmoraitis overviewofcubesatmissionsandapplications AT vassiliskostopoulos overviewofcubesatmissionsandapplications AT vaioslappas overviewofcubesatmissionsandapplications |