Microsatellites, picosatellites, and nanosatellites are miniature satellites with wet masses ranging from 0.1 to 500 kg. They are popular for space experiments and can be released in bundles or swarms. CubeSat is a standardized version of a picosatellite.
Microsat and picosat are miniature satellites. While there is no formal classification, they are generally referred to as follows:
Satellites with a wet mass (including fuel) of between 100 and 500 kg (220-1100 lbs) are sometimes called minisatellites, but more often just “small satellites”. A mini satellite is halfway between a small refrigerator and a small car in size. Often, minisatellites (and anything smaller) are released as part of a bundle of more than one, where a payload releases multiple sub-units upon reaching orbit. Despite being relatively small, mini satellites generally use the same technology as larger satellites.
Microsatellites have a wet mass of between 10 and 100 kg (22-220 lbs): roughly between the size of a small refrigerator and a microwave oven. Abbreviated “microsats”, microsatellites in space should not be confused with the same term in genetics, which means something completely different. Microsats are popular with universities and companies that want to run experiments in space but don’t have the funds to launch a conventionally sized satellite. Since the current cost to launch something into space is around $5,000 per kg, launching a microsat still costs between $50,000 and $500,000.
Nanosatellites, or “nanosates,” are the next, smaller stage of microsats. These have a wet mass between 1 and 10 kg (2.2-22 lbs). Nanosatellites are roughly between the size of a toaster and a microwave. These are small enough that many can be deployed, creating “swarms”. Sometimes these swarms coordinate with a larger central satellite, which sends data back to the ground using more powerful antennas. Even complex docking procedures are possible. Microsats and nanosats are small enough to require innovative propulsion, attitude control, communication and computing systems.
Picosatellites are the smallest, with a wet mass of 0.1 to 1 kg (0.22 to 2.2 lb), between the size of a toaster oven and a tennis ball. These are the smallest satellites and some of the most interesting. CubeSat is a standardized version of a picosatellite, with dimensions of 10cm x 10cm x 10cm. These are especially popular in academia. Its size is chosen because the agency responsible for tracking satellites and space junk only tracks objects this size or larger.
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