This chapter will quantify trends in small-satellite utilization, reliability, and capability using a database of all small satellites (,500 kg) launched from 2009 through 2018. By analyzing the full small-satellite industry over time, this chapter will identify trends in implementation, success rates, and the reasons why some missions have failed. It will also address how to improve future missions to maintain the benefits of the lower cost space element while still achieving complex, multidimensional missions.
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