First, taking place at the Littleton, Colorado headquarters of MicroSat Systems Inc. from 21-22 March 2007, the Small Satellites meeting will build upon the foundation established at the Group’s first meeting in October, focusing specifically on international collaborations within the small satellite industry. It will also serve to identify and formalize the diverse needs of its members. We are now on the brink of a major breakthrough in the small satellite industry, and this meeting represents a crucial step towards establishing international standards. Participants will have the invaluable opportunity to participate in cutting-edge technical discussions, while also determining the future direction of the small satellite industry.

The current state of the international small satellite industry is very fragmented; numerous governments and private agencies run sub-critical, small satellite programs with very little communication between these groups. Participants at the CANEUS 2006 Conference in Toulouse agreed that in order to open up the market for small satellites and facilitate dialogue between the many stakeholders in the industry, it is necessary to create an international consortium for the coordination and standardization of the small satellite industry.

Next, on March 27-28th, CANEUS and NASA have teamed to launch the Aircraft Structural Health Monitoring Pilot Project that was established during the CANEUS 2006 Conference in Toulouse, France, by hosting the “Fly-by-Wireless” Workshop for Aerospace Vehicles. 

CANEUS is working with NASA to advance wireless applications and technology by coordinating partnerships between leaders in aerospace industry and end-user community. These advancements will significantly raise the industry standard in aerospace manufacturing.  Leaders in wireless aerospace technology and the end-user community will meet at this international forum to present research and form partnerships that will advance wireless technology and applications. This meeting will be held at the Gaylord Texan Convention Center in Grapevine, Texas, from March 27-28, 2007 in conjunction with the RFID World Conference and the IEEE Conference on RFID.

“CANEUS and NASA hope to lead another leap in efficiency, reliability, performance, and cost by encouraging the international aerospace industry to move ahead in architecture and supporting technologies that reduce cables and connectors for all systems, eventually even flight controls.” Some 250 of the world’s top scientists, physicists, engineers, and decision makers will participate in these two events to debate MNT issues for satellite, and commercial defense avionics applications.