An increase in the number of launched ultra-small spacecraft (SC) is often regarded as one of the key drivers behind the observed growth of the global orbital constellation. However, the presented retrospective analysis results of the SC mass-dimensional characteristics for various purposes show that the actual share of operational (active) ultra-small SC has remained consistently low for a long period of time. Yet the average mass-dimensional characteristics of operational low-Earth-orbit SC (not limited to multisatellite orbital constellations) have objective minimum constraints and exhibit a tendency toward increase. High average mass and dimensional characteristics of high-orbit operatinal SC are also maintained, primarily for navigation and communication missions. The prerequisites of the observed trend were generalized and systematized, confirming its soundness and sustainability in the long term. Dimensional characteristics of SC different classes were presented, on the basis of which estimates of the required diameters of optoelectronic instruments used for satellite observation were obtained. These estimates made it possible to conclude that a quantitative approach to the development of a ground-based network of an automated system for warning of hazardous situations in near-Earth space is relevant, using relatively small-sized off-the-shelf optoelectronic instruments.

EDN FEDYMX