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miniaturized satellite
(redirected from picosatellite)

   Also found in: Wikipedia 0.01 sec.
miniaturized satellite
A communications satellite that is considerably smaller and lighter than the geostationary satellites that weigh several tons. Smaller satellites are less costly to manufacture and deploy and can be piggybacked on rockets with the launch of larger satellites. Miniaturized satellites are designated by their maximum weight, as follows:

                       Approximate
                      Maximum Weight
 Type                    (pounds)

 minisatellite (minisat)   1,100

 microsatellite (microsat)   220

 nanosatellite (nanosat)      22

 picosatellite (picosat)       2.2


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As part of the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency's (DARPA) Picosat program, the AFRL/IF launched the world's smallest satellite--the Micro Electro-Mechanical Systems-Based Picosatellite Inspector (MEPSI)--from the space shuttle in November 2002, thus laying the groundwork for an emerging onboard-protection and/or servicing capability for satellites.
acted as system integrator for the picosatellite mission with funding from the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA), which also sponsored creation of many of the underlying technologies.
The satellites were activated Sunday after being ejected from a Stanford University-designed satellite, called OPAL - the Orbiting Picosatellite Automated Launcher.
 
 
 
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