Dr. Neta Palkovitz , Chief Legal, Policy & Sustainability Officer, General Counsel at Dawn Aerospace
Sindu Shankar, Legal Support Specialist
Neta Palkovitz , Dr., Chief Legal, Policy & Sustainability Officer, General Counsel at Dawn Aerospace
SmallSats and especially CubeSats have been suffering from a bad reputation with regulators worldwide. The simplified standardized way to achieving space missions created a revolution in the space industry, which meant many more states were able to join the space club, along side of many commercial and non-profit organizations. With the era of mega-constellations, many arguments were raised referring to the increased congestion in LEO, and the safety concerns over increased creation of space debris and collisions probability.
For some, this is a treat to the sustainable use of outer space. Paradoxically, there is no reason to label SmallSat as a threat, on the contrary, NewSpace practices for producing satellites may be more sustainable compared to traditional practices.
In this presentation, I wish to claim that the missing link to solving this paradox is- green propulsion systems designed for SmallSats. Specifically, Dawn Aerospace’s CubeDrive is a great example for a standard system, that enhances not only satellite performance, but also compliance with new upcoming safety and sustainability standards.
I will explain how CubeDrive, which is designed for CubeSats and small satellites, combines performance and reliability with a commitment to environmental stewardship, using non-toxic fuels like nitrous oxide and propylene. The presentation will show how CubeDrive delivers precision, safety, and scalability in a compact package that redefines propulsion for the modern space age. As regulatory and sustainability norms for space activities come into focus, particularly in forward-thinking regions like the EU, operators must prepare for a future where compliance is non-negotiable, and sustainability is paramount.
The presentation will outline the new upcoming EU space law as an example of new standards SmallSat operators will have to comply with. Questions such as: What are Space Labels? What is the commitment to preserving the dark skies? What are the new EoL de-orbit timeframes? And do all operators must show a collision avoidance capability? Will be discussed and answered.
All while showing that CubeDrive enables preparation for a new regulatory environment seamlessly, by supporting operators in staying ahead of regulations and the competition.