Coach Class to Orbit: the NPS CubeSat Launcher
Author
Hicks, Christina
DeJesus, Adam
Harris, Anthony
Crook, Matt
Rossberg, Felix
Sakoda, Daniel
Panholzer, Rudolf
Newman, James
Date
2009-08Metadata
Show full item recordAbstract
To meet the challenge of improving CubeSat access to space, a team of graduate students at the Naval Postgraduate School (NPS) is developing the NPS CubeSat Launcher (NPSCuL). NPSCuL is an enabling technology that seeks to utilize excess capacity on US launch vehicles to provide CubeSat developers with routine, high capacity, low-cost access to space. The launcher currently integrates eight Cal Poly Poly-Picosatellite Orbital Deployers (P-PODs) with a deployment sequencer in a simple structure. NPSCuL will be able to accommodate up to twenty four units of CubeSat volume on a single launch using only one ESPA-class payload interface. This capability has the potential to advance US space technology and ensure that the next generation of US space professionals will remain on the cutting edge of very small satellite development. A flight-qualified NPSCuL is expected to be complete in late 2009 with a potential launch as early as August of 2010. NPSCuL provides “coach-class-to-orbit:” a high-capacity, low-cost way to deliver CubeSats to space that is consistent with US launch capability, the CubeSat specification, the needs of the growing CubeSat community, and US national interests.
Description
Publication: AIAA/USU Conference on Small Satellites
Session X: The Smaller Elements
Rights
This publication is a work of the U.S. Government as defined in Title 17, United States Code, Section 101. Copyright protection is not available for this work in the United States.Related items
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