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I did not mean maneuvering, I meant other means of keeping track of where satellites are. A tracking system doesn't actually move the satellites either. In th
by FiatLuxDave 9y ago
I did not mean maneuvering, I meant other means of keeping track of where satellites are. A tracking system doesn't actually move the satellites either. In theory this could involve transponder requirements or orbital constraints.
All I'm saying is that there is more than one way to skin a cat, and when regulations say "you must skin a cat in this way", that can lead to technical stagnation.
- JumpCrisscross 9y ago> when regulations say "you must skin a cat in this way", that can lead to technical stagnation The regulations are broad. They basically say "there must be a way to track your satellite." Transponder-based tracking doesn't work for small satellites because of the power demands. Passive approaches are preferred. I've seen small satellite designers adapt the shape and materials of their birds, to maximize reflectivity. Swarm didn't do any of this.
- FiatLuxDave 9y agoAh, thank you. That was not apparent from the article, which only listed the physical dimension.