Nanosatellites are satellites that typically weigh less than 10 kilograms. CubeSats are a type of Nanosatellites and have specific requirements for their shape, size, and weight. The standard CubeSat unit is a cube-shaped structure that measures 10x10x10 centimeters and has a mass of 1 to 1.33 kilograms, referred to as 1U. CubeSats come in different sizes, such as 1U, 1.5U, 2U, 3U, or 6U, which have become more common in recent years. The CubeSat standardization has made it possible to develop new configurations.
Originally, California Polytechnic State University at San Luis Obispo (Cal Poly) and Stanford University developed CubeSats in 1999 with the goal of providing a platform for education and space exploration. Today, CubeSat development has evolved into a thriving industry, with collaborations between the government, industry, and academia pushing the limits of what these small satellites can achieve. CubeSats now offer a cost-effective means for conducting science investigations, demonstrating new technologies, and realizing advanced mission concepts through the use of constellations, swarms, and disaggregated systems. Using CubeSat standards for nanosatellite development offers relatively affordable and ongoing access to space, as well as a wide range of launch and space rocket options.