The development of small satellites for telecommunication constellations in low-Earth orbit provides a unique opportunity to the astronomical community. Mass-produced, commercial satellite platforms can host dedicated scientific payloads and expand access to space-based astronomy. Technologies critical to the development of small orbital instruments have been demonstrated by exploratory missions. By employing these capabilities and techniques in mass-produced spacecraft, terrestrial limitations such as geography, atmosphere and planetary motion can be overcome at a fraction of the cost of traditional space-based astronomy missions. Instruments could be deployed across swarms, or even constellations, of small, cheap and reliably produced spacecraft. With the continuing democratization of space, it is now timely and opportune to consider the approaches necessary to maximize the scientific potential of innovations driven by the commercial sector.

低地球轨道上用于电信星座的小型卫星的发展为天文学界提供了独特的机会。量产的商业卫星平台可以容纳专用的科学有效载荷，并扩大对天基天文学的访问。探索性任务证明了对发展小型轨道仪器至关重要的技术。通过在批量生产的航天器中采用这些功能和技术，可以克服地面限制，例如地理，大气和行星运动，而成本却是传统基于太空的天文学任务的一小部分。可以将仪器部署在小型，廉价且可靠生产的航天器的群甚至星座中。随着太空的持续民主化，