Small Satellite Conference Family,

I hope this finds you all well, and that you are discovering ways to overcome the challenges COVID-19 has caused in both your personal and professional lives. Never has something impacted our lives so quickly; COVID-19 has imposed upon our families, our businesses, and our way of life. My heart and thoughts go out those of you who have been affected by this global pandemic.

I know SmallSat is not your first thought at this time, but please be aware that our team is vigilantly monitoring the COVID-19 situation and is actively planning for SmallSat 2020 and beyond. Nothing is more important than the health and safety of our attendees and staff.

We host SmallSat for you - the entire small satellite community. We are humbled that you have allowed us to play such an important role in this dynamic and forward-thinking industry. We share your passion, and take the responsibility of hosting the Conference extremely seriously – you are the reason we exist.

Because COVID-19 is so unlike anything we have experienced before, it is hard to predict what is yet to come. Our SmallSat team has been working closely with leadership from Utah State University and officials from the local health department to determine the appropriate way forward for the 2020 Conference. SmallSat 2020 will be held in a virtual format with no on-site presence. We have determined that this is the best way to continue to support the industry, while ensuring the safety of each of you. While this format will be different than you are accustomed to, our industry will once again come together this August. We are as committed as ever to you, our SmallSat family, to provide the high-quality technical content you have come to expect. We are working to ensure that this new virtual version of SmallSat 2020 meets the needs of the entire community as best we are able.

I have received phone calls and e-mails from many of you, and recognize the passion you all bring to the work you do every day. I appreciate just how significant industry gatherings and conferences such as SmallSat are to the way you do business, as interacting with customers and collaborators affects your organization’s bottom line. At SmallSat, YOU are our bottom line! To make SmallSat 2020 accessible by all, this year’s Conference will be held free of charge.

To continue moving our industry forward, we want and need your participation in SmallSat 2020 – it’s going to be Virtually Amazing! To find out more about the upcoming virtual Conference visit our website www.smallsat.org. New content will be uploaded daily August 1-6, 2020.

There is much about this crisis that is unknown, but what I strongly believe is that we will get through this, we will continue to make great strides in moving our industry forward, and we will do it together. Please join us for a Virtually Amazing interpretation of SmallSat 2020.

Thank you for being part of the SmallSat family,

Pat Patterson
Chairman, Small Satellite Conference