Small satellites have truly come into their own in recent years, with unique applications for Earth observation, research and development, and new communications solutions all paving the way for new applications, and in turn, new demand. Martin Jarrold, Chief International Programme Development at the Global VSAT Forum (GVF), opines on the key role small satellites will play in the NewSpace revolution.

Use the phrase ‘space graffiti’ in a room of satellite professionals, and until recently, they will have assumed you were talking about debris – namely, defunct or broken up old satellites moving orbiting the Earth and generally causing problems. All that has changed with the historic launch of Rocket Lab’s Electron launch vehicle in January 2018…