3CAT-3/MOTS, an experimental nanosatellite for multispectra and GNSS-R Earth Observation: Mission concept and analysis

Abstract

The 3 Cat-3/MOTS mission is a joint initiative between the Institut Cartogràfic i Geològic de Catalunya (ICGC) and the Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya-BarcelonaTech (UPC) to foster new and innovative technologies on Earth Observation (EO) based on data fusion of Global Navigation Satellite Systems Reflectometry (GNSS-R) and optical payloads on a 6U CubeSat platform [1]. Since 2012, there has been a growing trend to use small satellites [2]. Small satellites possess intrinsic advantages over larger platforms in terms of cost, flexibility and scalability and have also made possible constellations of a great number of satellites at an affordable cost. The latest technological advances and the miniaturization of most devices are also key factors to explain the boom of small satellites. 3 Cat-3/MOTS mission analysis will be addressed to transform EO data into territorial climate variables (information) at the best possible spatial-temporal resolution.