Although there are several important applications for Nano- and Pico Satellites both in single and multiple satellite missions, CANEUS NPS will initially address the in-space technology validation market. The satellite industry currently lags significantly behind terrestrial advances in micro-electronics and MEMS technologies due to a lack of in-space technology validation missions.  Access to in-space validation would enable a broad spectrum of these technologies to achieve space qualification status, facilitating their implementation into the next generation of commercial, defense, and scientific space missions.

End-users for in-space validation includes major spacecraft manufacturers (Boeing Corp., EADS, Lockheed-Martin Corp., Thales (Alcatel-Alenia), among others), component and sub-system manufacturers (Loral, Ball Aerospace, COM DEV, among others) and government agencies (NASA, ESA, JAXA, USDoD, among others).

Among the anticipated End-User Requirements are the following:

• Mission Design: End-Users will specify the launch and in-space environmental conditions (vibration and shock, thermal exposure, radiation, chemical attack) to define the mission of the in-space validation testing of components or sub-systems.
• Form, Fit and Function: End-Users will specify the size, mass, power and data requirements for their payload. CANEUS NPS will supply the end user with standardized mechanical, thermal, electrical and data interfaces. End-users will collaborate with CANEUS NPS in designing the in-space reliability analysis studies.
• Economics: CANEUS NPS will strive to make the in-space technology validation cost competitive with ground testing. CANEUS NPS will also work towards by increasing access to space by having frequent launches. CANEUS NPS satellite service model is essentially a “One stop shop” of performing end-to-end (Design-to-End-of-Life) missions.