TAS #4

Space is shifting toward flexible, reusable systems with CubeSats, constellations, and orbital maintenance. Yet, current satellites are mission-specific and lack in-orbit adaptability. What if we treated satellites like modular computers or LEGO robots? Advances in robotic arms and 3D printing are opening the door to dynamic, upgradable systems in space, allowing for not just initial deployment but also ongoing in-orbit servicing and maintenance.

Imagine a new type of microsatellite made of smart, interchangeable modules: each one self-recognizing, interoperable, and reconfigurable in orbit. These modules could be serviced, replaced, or upgraded without returning to Earth. What would the architecture look like? What tech would be needed to connect and manage these modules, ensuring their seamless operation over time? Explore the mechanical, electronic, or systemic principles of a next-gen plug & play satellite. Go beyond the technical design to propose a business model: what services could modular satellites enable (e.g. upgrade-as-a-service, on-demand capabilities, or shared modular platforms)? Who would be the target customers, and how could modularity reshape the economics of satellite manufacturing and operations?