What is a Nanosatellite?
Nanosatellites, also called “nanosats”, are a relatively recent term used to describe artificial satellites with a mass between 1 and 10 kg (2.2–22 lb). Larger satellites are often called microsatellites, while smaller satellites are called picosatellites. The term “nanosatellite” appears to have been introduced by NASA some time around 2004. It is still in the process of adoption, as many satellites of this size are simply called “small satellites.” The idea of a nanosatellite has absolutely nothing to do with nanotechnology, a term that refers the precise engineering of materials on atomic and molecular scales. From a nanoscale perspective, a 5-kg satellite looks like Mt. Everest. Nanosatellites are appealing because their small size makes them affordable and opens up the potential for a swarm of the satellites. They can piggyback on larger launches, avoiding the need for a dedicated launch. From a military perspective, a nanosatellite may be useful for the redundancy it could offer.
