Space mission engineering and low-cost satellite design since 1984
Microcosm defines the mission, designs the small satellite, and writes the flight software that cuts operating cost.
- Founded 1984
- Woman-owned small business
- Torrance, California
- Commercial, military and scientific missions
Mission engineering
We turn broad objectives and hard limits into an affordable space system. The work covers constellation and orbit design, launch vehicle selection, concept of operations, and cost modeling.
Microcosm Press published Mission Geometry, a 934-page text on orbit and constellation design.
Read about mission engineering
NanoEye small satellite
NanoEye is a low-altitude imaging satellite. It uses an all-composite unibody structure and mostly space-qualified CubeSat parts. Autonomous orbit control keeps it in a low orbit for high resolution.
The Scorpius Demi-Sprite is designed to launch one NanoEye for under $4M recurring, excluding range costs.
| Dry mass | 25 kg |
|---|---|
| Hydrazine propellant, full load | 55 kg |
| Wet mass | 80 kg |
| Telescope aperture | Under 0.3 m |
| Resolution at nadir, at perigee | Sub-half-meter |
| Recurring cost, electro-optical payload | Under $2M |
| Recurring cost, electro-optical and infrared payload | Under $2.5M |
| First article | Under two years |
| Later units | Several months each |
These are Microcosm estimates. An independent Air Force cost review agreed overall with them.
20–40%
less spacecraft mass, depending on configuration.
Composite spacecraft structures
The unibody structure acts as one unit and holds the propellant tank. It needs no secondary structure. It fits a standard Planetary Systems LightBand, so loads pass directly into the launch vehicle.
Microcosm developed it with Scorpius Space Launch Company. We build to your specification and help with the design. For composite tanks, see Scorpius.
See structure details
Autonomous guidance, navigation and control
Microcosm writes orbit and attitude determination and control software. Autonomy lowers the cost of operating a space system. Two space missions validated our autonomous orbit control.
How orbit control worksCourses in space mission engineering
Dr. James Wertz teaches two five-day courses of 38 instruction hours: Space Mission Engineering, The New SMAD, and Design of Low-Cost Space Missions. More than 3,000 professionals and graduate students have taken Microcosm courses.
Course detailsWho we work with
- Military
- Mission utility analysis, surveillance small satellites and tactical systems for defense programs.
- Scientific
- Mission design, orbit control and navigation for planetary and interplanetary missions.
- Commercial
- Mission architecture and cost models for commercial space systems.
Why Microcosm
- 1984
- The year Microcosm started.
- 3,000+
- Professionals and students trained.
- 2
- Space missions that validated our orbit control.
- 10
- Years we ran the Reinventing Space Conference.
How an engagement runs
- ObjectivesYou send your objectives and limits: coverage, cost, schedule and launch options.
- ConceptsWe build mission concepts and a cost model.
- Trade studyWe compare the options against your limits.
- Design packageYou receive the chosen design and the data behind it.
Questions
What does a NanoEye satellite cost?
Microcosm estimates a recurring cost under $2M with an electro-optical payload and under $2.5M with an electro-optical and infrared payload. The first article takes under two years.
Does Microcosm build launch vehicles?
No. Scorpius Space Launch Company builds launch vehicles and composite tanks. It started in 1999 as a spin-off of Microcosm and shares the Torrance address.
What courses does Microcosm teach?
Dr. James Wertz teaches two five-day courses of 38 instruction hours: Space Mission Engineering, The New SMAD, and Design of Low-Cost Space Missions. Ask us for dates and prices.
Where is Microcosm located?
Microcosm is at 3111 Lomita Blvd, Torrance, California 90505. Call (310) 539-2306 or write to microcosm@smad.com.
Discuss your mission
Send your objectives and limits.
Or write to microcosm@smad.com or call (310) 539-2306.