Novel Approach to Managing Technological Entrepreneurship using a Model-Based Systems Approach to Develop Low Cost Earth Orbiting Satellites

Abstract

The ability to send low cost satellites into space has changed the satellite industry and vastly opened up the use of satellites to transform data into information for individuals, organizations, commercial companies, and governments. This information can be corroborated with other sources of data to evaluate the availability of precious resources, e.g., potable water, agriculture; to forecast upcoming famines or diseases; and to perform mapping, communications, and competitive analyses. The cost of owning a satellite is less than $100,000 (using commercial parts) to $1,000 (built by school kids). Launch costs are tens of thousands of dollars, which can be eliminated through subsidies. Compare these costs to $200 million to $1 billion costs for similar functionality, higher performance and greater durability—an interesting trade space that favors multiple low cost flights versus significantly higher costs for permanent satellites for an increasing number of applications. The challenge is to form and manage a development team of unskilled professionals, high school students, or university students to meet deadlines and flight-standards. These team members are likely highly motivated and unskilled. This paper describes the technical management strategy and techniques used to develop the 10 cm, 6-sided CubeSats.