// ORBITAL LOGISTICS AND PROPULSION TERM
Smallsat
A smallsat is a miniature satellite, typically weighing less than 500 kg, designed for specific missions and often launched in constellations.
TECHNICAL DEFINITION
A Smallsat is a class of artificial satellites with a mass generally below 500 kg, encompassing categories like nanosatellites and microsatellites, designed for cost-effective, specialized missions and often deployed in large constellations.
BACKGROUND
Firefly Aerospace Blue Ghost, or simply Blue Ghost, is a class of lunar landers designed and manufactured by the American company Firefly Aerospace. Firefly builds and operates Blue Ghost landers to deliver small payloads to the surface of the Moon. The first Blue Ghost mission was launched in January, 2025. It successfully landed on the Moon on March 2, 2025. The landers are named after the firefly species Phausis reticulata, known as blue ghosts.
READ MORE ON WIKIPEDIASYNONYMS & ALIASES
- Miniature Satellite
- Micro-satellite
- Nano-satellite
- CubeSat (specific type)
USAGE NOTE
Smallsats are enabling new applications in Earth observation, telecommunications, and scientific research due to their lower cost and faster development.
DEVELOPERS
Organizations developing technology related to Smallsat.
Operates the largest fleet of Earth observation satellites, primarily using smallsats, to image the entire landmass daily and provide data for various industries.
Designs, manufactures, and launches small, orbital-class rockets (Electron) dedicated to deploying smallsats, and also develops smallsat platforms.
Operates a large constellation of nanosatellites to collect data for weather forecasting, maritime domain awareness, and aviation intelligence.
A leading manufacturer of small satellites and provider of space-based solutions for government and commercial customers.
Deploys and operates a constellation of high-revisit-rate smallsats to deliver geospatial intelligence and real-time insights.
Provides in-space infrastructure services, including last-mile delivery and orbital services for smallsats and other spacecraft.
A world-leading provider of small satellite missions, platforms, and applications, with a long history of innovation in the smallsat sector.
Operates a constellation of synthetic aperture radar (SAR) smallsats, providing high-resolution, all-weather, day and night Earth observation imagery.