The Small Satellite Integrated Communication Environment (ICE)

Abstract

As the SMALLSAT and NANOSAT communities advance space technology, a communications evolution must also begin. The infrastructure to effectively maintain, monitor, command, and communicate with a satellite requires resources. Historically, this communication link was accomplished by a dedicated ground site with a dish antenna, which provides limited daily access, requires dish operation, and is limited to a single satellite at a time. Although satisfactory for the traditional large satellite architecture, small satellites will break this paradigm as their numbers increase. The value in small satellites may not be in their individual performance, but rather in their numbers. As the number of SMALLSATS and NANOSATS increase from hundreds to thousands of satellites, dedicated ground sites will be rendered ineffective. This paper offers a concept that utilizes existing cell phone technology and a modified cellular infrastructure to revolutionize communications for all satellites. This novel approach will significantly advance satellite technology by providing access to space for academia and entrepreneurs, while off ering the military unconventional access to perform its mission.