I‐3b

This chapter describes and analyzes In‐Orbit Demonstration/In‐Orbit Validation (IOD/IOV) programs. Space agencies are the major financier of IOD/IOV activities. National agencies support the local industry and prioritize the introduction of new technologies. Regional agencies such as the European Space Agency (ESA) promote programs for the development of strategic technologies relevant for the member states and also the cooperation among companies of different countries. In space missions, an important issue is the reduction of costs. Nanosatellites are cost‐effective test platforms. The implementation of a payload based on single components keeps an easy design of the satellite and is flexible for the configuration of the satellite. Microsatellites are platforms with a good capacity for experiments and the mission costs can be managed by space agencies. For IOD/IOV missions, microsatellite platforms allow the installation of several small experiments but also complete modules.