Abstract. Classification and methods of constructing of small satellites clusters are presented. The two basic classes of the small spacecraft clusters are considered: the clusters with uniform distribution of the objective function between the set of satellites of the same type constituting the cluster (distributed spacecraft), and the clusters with spatially dispersed functional modules of a single spacecraft (fragmented spacecraft). In the both cases, the cluster elements are supposed to be connected to each other via radio and operate in concert. Deployment of small spacecraft clusters is anticipated to stimulate the market of light and ultra-light launch vehicles, to give an impetus to the development and improvement of innovative technologies, including molecular and atomic nanotechnologies.

Keywords: small spacecraft, cluster, distributed spacecraft, fragmented spacecraft, objective function

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