35th Annual Small Satellite Conference (SmallSat 2021)
- Date
- 2021-08-07
- Location
- Online
- Host
- Small Satellite Conference (SmallSat)
About this event
The 35th Annual Small Satellite Conference (SmallSat 2021) brings one of the space industry’s most established gatherings into a fully virtual format, making it easier than ever for professionals, researchers, and emerging builders to take part from anywhere. Centered on the theme Mission Operations & Autonomy, this edition focuses on the operational realities of small satellite missions and the technologies, strategies, and systems that help them perform reliably in increasingly complex environments. For anyone working in or around small spacecraft, this is a timely event. As small satellites take on more ambitious roles, the conversation is no longer just about getting payloads into orbit. It is about how missions are managed, how systems make decisions, how operators handle scale, and how autonomy is reshaping the future of space operations. About the Event The Small Satellite Conference has long been a key meeting point for the smallsat community, and this 35th annual edition continues that role in an online setting. Held virtually for a second consecutive year, the conference preserves the depth and seriousness of the program while opening access to a broader global audience. This year’s focus on Mission Operations & Autonomy gives the event a clear center of gravity. Expect discussion around the practical side of operating small satellites, from command and control to mission planning, onboard decision-making, and the growing importance of autonomous capabilities across satellite systems. Because the event is virtual, the format is especially well suited to attendees who want concentrated access to industry thinking without travel. It offers a way to engage with current challenges and developments in the field while staying connected to the wider smallsat ecosystem. Whether you come from engineering, operations, research, government, commercial space, or academia, the conference is designed to support serious learning and exchange. It is not just about broad trends; it is about how missions are actually run, improved, and scaled. What to Expect Attendees can expect a conference experience shaped around the real-world needs of the small satellite sector. While the exact session lineup is not detailed here, the theme makes the core areas of attention clear: mission operations, autonomous systems, and the technical and organizational decisions that support successful smallsat programs. You should expect content that speaks to both current practice and near-future capability, including topics such as: Mission operations workflows for small satellite programs Autonomy in spacecraft systems and how it changes decision-making onboard and on the ground Operational challenges at scale as constellations and fleets grow Reliability, responsiveness, and efficiency in mission management Technical and strategic perspectives from across the smallsat landscape A conference like this typically attracts a mix of mission operators, spacecraft developers, system architects, researchers, and decision-makers. That mix matters. It means the conversation is likely to move between hands-on technical detail, lessons learned from active programs, and bigger-picture thinking about where the industry is heading. In a virtual setting, attendees also benefit from a more flexible way to participate. You can focus on the sessions most relevant to your work, take notes in real time, and engage with the material from wherever you are. For many participants, that makes it easier to fit a high-value industry conference into an already demanding schedule. Why Attend If your work touches small satellites in any way, the value of this event is straightforward: it puts mission execution at the center of the conversation. Too often, industry attention leans heavily toward launch milestones or hardware announcements. This conference makes room for the equally important question of what happens once a mission is operating and what it takes to do that well. The theme Mission Operations & Autonomy is especially relevant at a moment when small satellites are expected to do more, react faster, and operate with greater independence. Attending offers a chance to sharpen your understanding of how autonomy is being applied, where it creates operational advantage, and what challenges still need to be solved. You may find this event especially useful if you want to: Understand current thinking on smallsat mission operations Learn how autonomy is influencing mission design and management Track practical developments in the small satellite sector Gain insight from a community that spans technical and operational roles Stay connected to one of the field’s long-running anchor conferences There is also value in the event’s continuity. A 35th annual conference carries institutional memory and industry relevance. Even in a virtual format, that history signals a gathering shaped by sustained engagement with the small satellite community rather than surface-level trend watching. Practical Details This event takes place as an online / virtual event, which means attendance does not require travel and can support participation from across time zones. The virtual format is particularly helpful for international attendees and busy professionals who want access to conference content without the logistical overhead of an in-person trip. The listed start time is Saturday, August 7 at 12:00 AM UTC. Because this is a UTC-based time listing, attendees should convert it to their local time zone in advance and plan their schedule accordingly. A few practical points to keep in mind: Location: Virtual / online Date and time: Saturday, August 7 at 12:00 AM UTC Theme: Mission Operations & Autonomy Audience: Professionals, researchers, operators, engineers, and others involved in small satellites and space systems If you are considering attending, this is a strong fit for anyone who wants substance over hype. The focus is specific, the context is timely, and the virtual format makes it accessible. For people building, operating, studying, or supporting small satellite missions, SmallSat 2021 offers a focused way to engage with the operational questions that increasingly define success in space.
Who should attend
If you work in, study, or closely follow the small satellite ecosystem, this conference is built for you—especially if you want a sharper view of where mission operations and autonomy are heading. - **Satellite operators and mission teams** who want practical insight into how autonomy is changing day-to-day operations, system reliability, and decision-making in orbit. - **Engineers, architects, and technical leads** building small satellite platforms, payloads, software, or ground systems and looking to understand how operational constraints shape better design. - **Researchers, faculty, and students** focused on space systems, aerospace, autonomy, or mission planning who want exposure to current challenges and real-world priorities across the field. - **Program managers, executives, and business leaders** evaluating capabilities, partnerships, or strategy in the small satellite market and needing a grounded sense of where the industry is moving. - **Government, defense, and civil space professionals** tracking how small satellites are being operated at scale and how autonomous approaches may affect future missions. - **Anyone entering the space sector** who wants a strong overview of the small satellite community, its technical direction, and the conversations shaping next-generation missions.