In this blog post, we’ll explore the definition, history, specifications, advantages, and use cases of CubeSats—satellites small enough to fit into a bag.
What is a CubeSat?
CubeSat is a portmanteau of the English words “Cube” and “Satellite,” originally referring to ultra-small satellites based on a cube shape. However, not all CubeSats are perfectly cubic. While the width and length are standardized at 10 cm each, the height can vary; Cubesats are classified as 1-Unit, 2-Unit, or 3-Unit based on this height. For example, a Cubesat with a height of 20 cm is called a 2-Unit Cubesat, and one with a height of 30 cm is called a 3-Unit Cubesat.
The CubeSat initiative began in 1999 when California Polytechnic State University and Stanford University jointly developed the concept for educational purposes. The project began with the goal of making the satellites very small and simplifying their design so that graduate students could design, build, and test them themselves. Although various models appeared in the early days, they gradually converged into a single standard specification due to practical constraints such as the optimal area for solar panels and compatibility with launch vehicles.
Since then, international standards for CubeSats have been established and published annually at developer workshops in documents such as the “CubeSat Design Specification.” This standardization has served to lower the barrier to entry, making it possible for anyone to design, build, and launch a CubeSat.
Strengths and Applications of CubeSats
Standardized specifications are a major advantage of CubeSats. Since developers only need to fit components into boxes of fixed sizes—such as 1U, 2U, or 3U—they are relieved of the burden of design constraints and can focus on payload and mission design. Furthermore, standardization has enabled mass production, leading to the emergence of companies specializing in the manufacture of basic components such as power systems and solar panels. Notable companies include Gomspace, ISIS, and Clyde-Space, which help beginners and researchers easily purchase components to assemble satellites.
Another key feature is that CubeSat-related materials are available as open source. In line with its origins as an educational initiative, a wealth of resources—including design drawings, manufacturing guides, and source code—is available online. As long as they have the passion, students and amateurs can find the necessary information and attempt to build their own satellites. Cubesat.org is one example of a website that compiles official information.
Another key advantage of CubeSats is that their small size results in relatively low development and launch costs. While traditional large satellites can cost hundreds of billions to trillions of won to develop and launch, CubeSats can be built and launched at a relatively low cost, making it practically feasible to launch multiple units simultaneously. Thanks to this “constellations”—the simultaneous deployment of multiple units for the same mission—new research methods have emerged, such as simultaneously observing the Earth’s atmosphere or measuring electron distribution at specific times.
The concept of CubeSat constellations has already led to practical applications. Through the QB50 project, the European Space Agency (ESA) has been using 50 CubeSats selected from around the world since early 2015 to simultaneously measure various characteristics of the Earth’s upper atmosphere. This is a prime example of how CubeSats, which originated for educational purposes, are now being used for professional research. Space research institutes and agencies around the world are also accelerating their efforts in CubeSat development.
In Korea, CubeSat competitions organized by the Ministry of Science, ICT and Future Planning and the Korea Aerospace Research Institute have been held annually since 2012, and investment in CubeSat-related projects is gradually expanding.
Recently, the applications of CubeSats have expanded beyond scientific research into commercial and artistic fields. For example, Planet Labs operates a service that provides real-time Earth observation images using small satellites, and various experiments are underway, such as the “Art in Space” project, which explores media art utilizing CubeSats. This trend toward popularization and commercialization is expected to continue.
There are still many potential applications for CubeSats that have yet to be discovered. This is because the data obtained through simultaneous observations can be expanded into countless combinations of research and services. This is precisely why experts around the world are dedicating their efforts to competitions and industry-academia collaboration projects. If South Korea also increases its interest and continues to invest, significant achievements in the CubeSat field can be expected.
