Concept art for the "On-Demand Satellite" from Darpa (via DARPA)
DARPA is currently talking with contractors to produce disposable satellites to assist in military operations planning. The program is called SeeMe (Space Enabled Effects for Military Engagement) and looks to allow satellites to orbit around Earth for 60 to 90 days and provide reconnaissance within 90 minutes of deployment.
Unmanned aircraft vehicles (UAVs) such as military drones presently provide much of location information intelligence. However, they cannot provide extended territory coverage over areas without need to refuel. The disposable satellites would allow on-demand coverage of areas efficiently and without the need to refuel. Additionally, this technology will be accessible by currently used hand held devices. The satellites are planned to burn up in the atmosphere after their 2-3 month operation span making them disposable. The satellites will cost around $500,000 and will only be launched in groups of 24. As a result, DARPA is seeking help from the mobile phone industries for rapid low-cost manufacturing technologies. They are also seeking manufacturers for propulsion technologies, solid state components, valve technologies, and advanced optics industries. DARPA will hold an event call Proposer's Day to further discuss the technologies.
A recent kickstarter is allowing the private sector to expore space with micro-satelites. See the "Pocket Spacecraft."
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