Scientists Land at Caltech This Week to Trade Ideas About Space Exploration on a Budget – Pasadena Now

A unique conference about the viability and the scientific benefits of low-cost robotic missions in space will be held at Caltechs Cahill Center for Astronomy and Astrophysics starting Tuesday until Thursday, August 15 through 17.

The 12th Low-Cost Planetary Missions Conference, or LCPM-12, sponsored by the International Academy of Astronautics (IAA), serves as an opportunity for scientists, technologists, engineers and project and agency managers to exchange ideas and information to enhance the viability and science return of low-cost robotic missions.

During this time, attendees will exchange ideas and information on the latest Agency Programs and Plans for Low-Cost Planetary Missions, the Latest Science Results from Ongoing Missions, Missions Currently Under Development for Launch in the Near Future, Science Instruments Enabling the Next Generation of Low-Cost Planetary Exploration, and Advanced Concepts for the Next Generation of Low-Cost Missions, including CubeSats, NanoSats and others.

The focus of LCPM-12 is on small and/or low-cost planetary missions, on the scale of the NASA Discovery/ESA Cosmic Vision Small (S) Class and smaller, including Smallsats and CubeSats, the announcement said. The conference will be conducted fully in sequential plenary sessions, augmented by one or more poster sessions.

NASA stated that the size of a small spacecraft, or SmallSats, could vary depending on the application. There are some you can hold in your hand, while others, like Hubble, are as big as a school bus.

SmallSats focus on spacecraft with a mass less than 180 kilograms and about the size of a large kitchen fridge. SmallSats are divided further into such categories as Mini-satellites (between 100 and 180 kilograms), Nanosatellites (one to 10 kilograms), Picosattelites (0.01 to 1 kilogram), and Femtosatellites (0.001 to 0.01 kilogram).

NASAs Ames Research Center first launched Pioneer 10 and 11 as SmallSats in 1972 and 1973, respectively. Today, Ames present SmallSat program is focused on the SmallSat Lunar Prospector launched in 1998, followed by LCROSS in 2009 and LADEE in 2013.

CubeSats are a class of nanosatellites that use a standard size and form factor. The standard CubeSat size uses a one unit or 1U measuring 10x10x10 cms and is extendable to larger sizes 1.5, 2, 3, 6, and even 12U.

Originally developed in 1999 by California Polytechnic State University at San Luis Obispo (Cal Poly) and Stanford University to provide a platform for education and space exploration, CubeSats now provide a cost-effective platform for science investigations, new technology demonstrations and advanced mission concepts using constellations (swarms disaggregated systems).

NASAs Ames Center launched its first CubeSat, GeneSat, in December 2006. Since then Ames has launched 16 CubeSat spacecraft varying in size from 1U to 3U, with an additional 12 CubeSats in development or awaiting launch.

The IAA was founded in Stockholm on August 16, 1960. Since that time, IAA has brought together the worlds foremost experts in the disciplines of astronautics on a regular basis to recognize the accomplishments of their peers, to explore and discuss cutting-edge issues in space research and technology, and to provide direction and guidance in the non-military uses of space and the ongoing exploration of the solar system.

As stated in the Academys statutes, the IAAs purposes are to foster the development of astronautics for peaceful purposes, to recognize individuals who have distinguished themselves in a branch of science or technology related to astronautics, and to provide a program through which the membership can contribute to international endeavors and cooperation in the advancement of aerospace science.

The IAA coordinates closely with national academies to foster a spirit of cooperation and progress that transcends national boundaries, cultures, and institutions.

To learn more about LCPM-12 and view the conference details, visit http://www.lcpm12.org.

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Scientists Land at Caltech This Week to Trade Ideas About Space Exploration on a Budget - Pasadena Now