The traditional approach in space is to design, build and launch a single satellite whose functional operation has to support its own mission requirements. The definition, functional operation and missions of the Technions SAMSON project require a minimum cluster of three nano-satellites that operate together as a cooperative System-of-Systems (SoS) to accomplish the missions. Each building block of SAMSON is by itself a complicated system, and the cluster of three nano-satellites is a unique breakthrough solution in the development of multiple nano-satellites systems. It calls for new approaches in system engineering, integration, and testing for each individual nano-satellite, for the cluster, and for the supporting systems required in the space project. The cluster of the three SAMSON nano-satellites will be launched and autonomously fly to keep the formation. The nano-satellites will function in a coordinated way, communicating with each other while maintaining the autonomous flight formation during the length of the mission. During the course of the flight, each nano-satellites will collect mission related data that will be transmitted to SAMSON’s ground station, which serves as another system in the System-of-Systems structure. The SAMSON mission will prove the possibility of uniform and continuous cluster controlled flight for one year at 700 km altitude. In addition, the cluster of nano-satellites will geo-locate the position of distressed terrestrial survivors by detection of their respective radio transmission. This will be performed by analysis of the simultaneous signals that are received by the three nano-satellites.
