Category 1 Full Paper Template

Eligibility:

Any individual, group, or company with space systems expertise and enthusiasm for micro/nano-satellites.

Requirements:

Exploitation of nano-satellites, e.g., free-flying satellites typically <50 kg (both constellation and non-constellation mission ideas will be welcome.) Reasonable, coherent story planning that answers the following questions are required:

• Who will invest/sponsor your mission?
• Which launch vehicle will you use?
• Who is going to do ground operation and where?

Technical feasibility and financial feasibility (e.g. rough cost analysis) should be also discussed.

• Originality (50 points)
  Novel mission concept not yet realized or proposed, or a new implementation of an existing capability or service (25)
  Impact on society (25)
• Feasibility (50 points)
  Technical (20)
  Programmatic (cost estimate, development schedule, infrastructure requirements) (15)
  Operational (description of ground segment and communications architecture, e.g., planned use of existing infrastructure) (15)

Category 2 Full Paper Template

Eligibility:

Any individual, group, or company with business expertise and enthusiasm for micro/nano-satellites.

Requirements:

Proposal of business plan using micro/nano-satellite technology, e.g., free-flying satellites typically <50 kg (both constellation and non-constellation mission ideas will be welcome.)

We will provide various "cost vs. performance" model for each segment such as satellite bus, mission components (e.g., Earth observing camera or communication system), launch, and ground operation. We will also provide several mission ideas including Earth observation by visible sensors, launching something into space, launching into space and recovering at the ground of some payloads, data collection from ground sensors by satellites, etc. Any number of satellites and ground stations is possible, but you should think up a certain business plan which can get some profits considering the cost required for satellite, launch, ground operation and data analysis. The firmness of business plan, feasibility and effects on the society will be evaluated.

Evaluation Criteria:

• Impact on society and environment (40) show detail What are the key features of your business model? How does your plan affect life styles of people, industries and natural and living environment of regions or countries and the earth? Products and/or services you propose must be based on specific mission types given in the Guide Book (724KB).
• Business model structure (5W2H: who, to whom, what, when, where, how, how much). (15)
  You are encouraged to contact potential investors (“who”) such as private companies and government agencies as well as potential users (“to whom”) to develop your ideas. show detail Your business model proposal must include the fundamental business components characterized by 5W2H, namely, Who, When, Where, What, How, Why and How much. You must clearly identify who the service provider is, when and/or how often the service becomes available, in what regions and countries. The nature of the product or service is most important as well as how they are delivered to the recipients. At last, but not the least why such products or service are important for the proposed costs (price) must be included.
• Business feasibility (15) show detail You need to estimate the revenue versus costs based on your mission model and associated costs so that your business model is economically feasible. In order to organize and estimate the costs, you should find the attached cost estimation tips per mission model helpful.　
  You are required to include your cost table in your proposal to confirm that the revenue balances against the cost and the investment.
• Logistical feasibility based upon the cost model provided by the organizer. (15) show detail You must clarify the four key system elements in any proposed mission model. Those elements must include (1) payload and bus level of the satellite, (2) the number of satellites, (3) the number and specifications of ground stations and (4) launch configuration with reasons.
• Risk Analysis (15) show detail Specify any risks involved in the proposed business model. Risk factors in logistical and environmental areas could affect on business. Your objective view on your own business model is important factor.

NOTE: In building your own cost model, you must specify design parameters as to the system configuration (the number of satellites, ground stations, and so on). You should find the following references to be helpful in order to estimate the costs involved with your mission.

Cost Estimation Tips (31 KB)

Cost Model Guidance Book (724KB)

Cost Model (63 KB)