Micro-Space was an aerospace corporation based in Denver, Colorado, founded in February 1977 by Richard P. Speck under the name Spectron Instrument Corporation. The corporation changed its name to "Micro-Space, Inc." in 1998. It was dissolved in 2011, following the death of the founder.
In addition to funding and building a number of its own spacecraft and rockets, Micro-Space was a component supplier to the emerging[1]CubeSat industry.[2]
Micro-Space operated using a strategy based on using modern technology to achieve radical downsizing of space systems to minimize launch cost and make mission financing feasible. They claimed that cost-effectiveness is maximised by creating satellites the size of lunchboxes or cell phones, as opposed to "Volkswagens".
History
While one of the smaller teams participating in the Ansari X Prize competition, Micro-Space had previously developed an active aerospace program flying innovative liquid fueledrockets. A long history of flying small rockets with telemetry, tracking and control systems demonstrates its focus on the fundamental systems necessary for uncrewed - and eventually crewed - suborbital and orbitallaunch vehicle and satellite systems.[2] While its operational systems are most appropriate for atmospheric research, the company claims to have produced modules which, if clustered, could power a "spartan" crewed launch.[citation needed]
Micro-Space also built operational prototypes suitable for long duration life support and other needs of lunar and interplanetary missions, including Mars landing. The company was dissolved in 2011.[4]
The complete, four satellite "PQ-Gemini ++" mission group, in addition to validating general satellite systems, was to be capable of demonstrating Micro-Space interferometric techniques to characterize orbital differences using only precision range data between ultralight spacecraft in preparation for autonomous rendezvous. Additional systems were to allow the relative positions, distance and rotational alignment of the four satellites to be continuously monitored. This information is necessary for the final, docking procedures. Other developmental steps were projected to follow, leading to ultralight sample return missions on the Moon and Mars.[needs update]
In 2010 Micro-space was selected to negotiate a NASA Phase I SBIR contract entitled "Non-Radiated Field Link to Recharge, Reprogram, Test and Co-ordinate Aux. Payload Systems". Unfortunately, the untimely death of Richard P. Speck in October 2010 effectively halted all programs.
In 2007, Micro-Space was discussing return sample analysis and lunar prospecting with several organizations.[6]
Prospecting operations will be aimed at locating concentrations of extractable lunar gems and minerals. High grade titanium, rare-earth metals and helium-3 (a potential fusion reactor fuel) are all known to exist on the Moon. Low cost flight of concentrated ores to the Earth is feasible using Solar Powered, electromagnetic "Rail guns", and other technologies.[citation needed]
Propellant to complete rendezvous and docking was not allowed in the planned satellite cluster launch. Arrangements were being negotiated for launch 2011 of small Micro-Space spacecraft with propulsion systems to demonstrate the complete rendezvous and docking process as will be used with “Planetary Ascent Vehicles” carrying prospecting samples. Negotiations with this launch supplier also cover subsequent launch of a “Lunar Lander” and Lunar Transfer spacecraft, as well as the Planetary Ascent and Return vehicles.[citation needed]
References
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"Cubist Movement". Space News. 2012-08-13. p.30. When [the cubesat was invented] a little more than a decade ago, [it was] never imagined that the tiny satellites would be adopted by universities, companies and government agencies around the world. They simply wanted to design a spacecraft with capabilities similar to Sputnik that graduate student could design, build, test and operate. For size, the professors settled on a 10-centimeter cube because it was large enough to accommodate a basic communications payload, solar panels and a battery.