With the rapid development of space technology, the number of new satellites has expanded rapidly in recent years, and the applications of satellites have gradually expanded into other industries and deeper into academia. While the small satellite category is experiencing significant growth, the behavior of small satellites still requires more in-depth study. A growing number of academic and industrial customers are looking to use satellites to achieve their scientific or business goals without having to develop a full satellite mission, including a satellite platform. Hosting payloads on other satellites or procuring pre-qualified platforms enables new mission flexibility while minimizing the risk of excessive development time and cost as well as the likelihood of mission loss due to self-introduced platform failures. This approach allows customers to focus on the development of their payloads. In order to improve the development process of these payloads while ensuring their reliability and safety, it is necessary to further study the statistical distribution of satellite payload anomalies from past missions. This study helps to learn from the statistical knowledge of past missions and where to focus, while creating new payload development processes that are leaner and improve the life cycle safety of future missions. Through this analysis, a prediction can be made of major engineering optimization areas for development. The results then provide an important theoretical basis for the future coordination of successful industrial and educational programs focused on satellite payload development. For this analysis a certified satellite database with satellite from Oct. 1957 to Oct. 2023 forms the baseline for the study. \\ This study presents a statistical analysis of small satellite missions, focusing on anomalies in payloads. A brief introduction to the observation of recent spaceflight evolution is given, focusing on small satellites compared to CubeSats and large satellites. This is followed by a detailed assessment of error anomalies overall and in relation to small satellite payloads. The lessons learnt from these results are also presented: To enhance small satellite mission success, focusing on "quality and design" is crucial. One key strategy could include streamlining processes, and accelerating development while accepting higher risks, as well as applying lessons learned in a second mission if needed.    «

With the rapid development of space technology, the number of new satellites has expanded rapidly in recent years, and the applications of satellites have gradually expanded into other industries and deeper into academia. While the small satellite category is experiencing significant growth, the behavior of small satellites still requires more in-depth study. A growing number of academic and industrial customers are looking to use satellites to achieve their scientific or business goals without...    »