Performing High-Quality Science on CubeSats

January 2016 the International Space Science Institute in Berne, Switzerland,hosted a two-day Forum to focus on the rapid evolution of CubeSats as an enabling technology platform, with special emphasis on their promise to perform high-quality science.The Forum was initiated in coordination with a then ongoing, and recently published study performed by the US National Academies onthe same topic (goo.gl/osCSQ3), and was focused on the international context of CubeSats-enabled science.

This report summarizes the conclusions from this Forum to inform the growing international community of the activities in this area of research. Our discussions focused on four themes characteristic of CubeSats and their evolution: 1) identification of appropriate science in avariety of research disciplines, 2) technology development, 3) international vs. national approaches, and 4) educational benefits.

These discussions will be followed by a few Appendices, each describing a concrete and illustrative example of a national or international engagement with science-focused CubeSats, or their enabling technologies.