The ESA Cheops satellite, captured in Madrid, will calculate the size of known exoplanets, capturing tiny oscillations in the light of their parent stars. Due to the readiness to launch at the end of this year, the parameters of Cheops reach only 1.5 x 1.4 x 1.5 m. It weighs approximately 300 kg with a full fuel reserve.
The term “small satellites” covers all the mechanisms ranging from a tonne to a CubeSats. Their ever-increasing opportunities were discussed at a symposium in Sorrento (Italy). The organizers were the head of the ESA optical network Luca Maresi and the speaker Roger Walker, who heads the department for CubeSats technology.
