The latest era of space exploration is characterized by a rising interest in the commercialization of space, with private investors being involved in financing projects, which traditionally was only done by governments. This "new space economy" was made possible by the decrease in manufacturing and launch costs, making space more accessible. An important enabling factor is the development of a particular class of satellites, broadly referred to as "small satellites," which provide cost effective platforms for a variety of purposes, and are accessible even to small developers and manufacturers. Small satellites bring numerous advantages, including increased launch opportunities, simplicity, modularity, and short development times, but also some drawbacks, such as strict budget constraints, with regard to mass, volume and cost.