Smallest micro-satellite

[edge_of_reason]

With so much electronic miniaturization of the past few decades, what is the tiniest satellite ever launched? Can it be some day feasible to get a 1 kg satellite to beam space images from LEO... or will there be a limit of power versus weight, that will make that an impossible dream? What if there was no reliance on solar power (no need to carry bulky panels) and battery technology was really advanced to guarantee a 10 year life...<br /><br />Thoughts, anyone?<br /><br />Edge

 

[vogon13]

US launched somrthing the size of a grapefruit in late fifties.......<br /><br /><br /> <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> <p><font color="#ff0000"><strong>TPTB went to Dallas and all I got was Plucked !!</strong></font></p><p><font color="#339966"><strong>So many people, so few recipes !!</strong></font></p><p><font color="#0000ff"><strong>Let's clean up this stinkhole !!</strong></font> </p> </div>

 

[tap_sa]

That would be the Vanguard I, a massive three pounder. Second US satellite, it's still up there. There's a new de facto standard called cubesat, miniature satellites whose basic form is a 10cm x 10cm x 10cm cube weighing 1kg or less. Couple links for starters, google for more.

 

[le3119]

Lower mass sats will lower the cost of payload, without any advances in launch tech. It makes sense to invest in smaller cargo rockets, and deemphasize the spaceplanes.