Smallsat & Microsat Deployment

Satellite Deployment

Our satellite deployment opportunities through the International Space Station are trusted globally. Since 2011, we have coordinated the launch and deployment of hundreds of cubesats and smallsats from the Space Station. Deploying from the Space Station offers highly reliable launches with flexible launch windows. Satellites enjoy soft-stowed, pressurized, ambient temperature on launch with a short turn around on reflight.

Cubesats

Our cubesat deployer is a self-contained system that has been in operation since 2014. The deployer consists of anodized aluminum plates, base plate assembly, access panels, and deployer doors. The NRCSD deployer doors are located on the forward end, the base plate assembly is located on the aft end, and access panels are provided on the top. The inside walls of the NRCSD are a smooth bore design to minimize and/or preclude hang-up or jamming of cubesat appendages during deployment.

Data sheet:
Microsats

Our Kaber MicroSat Deployer enables deployment for a class of payload developers normally relying on expendable launch vehicles for space access. MicroSatellites that are compatible with our Kaber Deployer have additional power, volume and communications resources enabling deployment missions in low-Earth orbit of greater scope and sophistication.

SmallSats

Our Bishop Airlock provides the largest satellite deployment opportunity possible on the ISS, including the ability to accommodate various satellite sizes in a single sortie. Astronauts prepare and install payloads and then ground control manages depressurization, EVR and deployment activities. Deployments are performed during an ISS orbital day pass to provide visual confirmation that the payload has properly deployed. Ideal for stellar imagery.

Get the most out of your small satellite mission.
  • End-to-End Service: We manage the entire process from contract to launch
  • Smooth Ride: Soft stowed, pressurized, and ambient temperature at launch. Your spacecraft will not be exposed to the same magnitude of shock, vibration and depressurization as a traditional rideshare mission.
  • Reliable and Flexible Launch: ISS launches are proven to be very reliable with multiple types of vehicles and a predictable schedule. 
  • Well Defined Orbit: The ISS orbit covers 85% of Earth’s populated areas.
  • High Quality Imagery: Show your investors exactly where their money is being well spent, while also getting a visual inspection of the satellite on deployment.
Rideshare Launch Services

Let us broker your launch on SpaceX Rideshare, India’s PSLV, or other expendable launch vehicles. Our world-renowned mission management service is consistently regarded as the most customer-focused team out there.

Whether cubesats or smallsats, we will take your entire constellation cradle to grave from vehicle selection, launch provider interface, deployer development and test, satellite and vehicle integration, and deployment operations.

Payload Hosting

Our payload hosting services allow customer hardware to be mounted on the outside of the International Space Station (ISS). Sites on both our External Platform (NREP) and Bishop Airlock accommodate all types of payloads, including hardware for Earth observation, radiation exposure testing and technology demonstrations.

Payload hosting is an ideal alternative to satellite launch and development, allowing for rapid in-space evaluation of concepts and technology prior to adoption into a larger operational program. Key benefits include reducing overall programmatic costs and risk as well as reducing complexity by providing power and data transfer as standard services.

Hosted Payloads
Space Station

Our Space Station External Platform (NREP) provides turnkey communication, power, and operations to hosted payloads mounted on the outside of the International Space Station. This platform allows for customers to meet technical milestones while reducing mission risk. This platform is ideal for tech demos, Earth observation, radiation exposure, sensor platforms, and meeting technology readiness levels.

Hosted Payloads
Bishop Airlock

Hosting payloads on Bishop is an ideal alternative to satellite development and launch, allowing for rapid in space evaluation of concepts and technology prior to adoption into a larger operational program.

Accelerate Your Mission
  • Faster Missions: Host directly in the space environment, collect data, reduce risks and get to an operational program faster and cheaper
  • Soft-Stowed Launch: Payloads launched in bubble wrap or custom foam packaging inside standard Cargo Transfer Bags (CTBs) in the pressurized capsule. Reduce exposure to shock and vibration as a traditional rideshare mission
  • Payload Return: Opportunity to do on the ground post-mission analysis of the effects of the space environment on hardware, including failure analysis
  • Flexible Launch Windows: Choose between 4-5 launch windows per year and shift this at little to no cost, all the way up to L-110 days
  • Last Minute Prep: ISS crew can perform assembly, remove covers and packaging on sensitive instruments, and support efforts to solve last-minute issues that may arise.
  • On-Orbit Check Out: Ability to bring the payload back inside the Space Station to modify components to expand mission spectrum
  • High Quality Video Streams: Airlock operations are streamed in real-time in high-quality –helping ensure mission success
Mission in Action
Canadian Cubesat Program

We’re a proud partner of the Canadian CubeSat Project (CCP). This program provided professors in post-secondary institutions with an opportunity to launch a small satellite mission with their students. The CCP project aimed to launch a CubeSat from every province and territory of Canada.

Cosmic Radiation Meets Seed Development

The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) and the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Centre of Nuclear Techniques in Food and Agriculture, leveraged our External Platform to study the effects of cosmic radiation and microgravity on inducing structural changes in plant genomes, and consequently, on induced genetic variations useful for plant breeding towards crop improvement and crop adaptation to climate change.

 

Image: K. Laffan/IAEA

SOARing to New Heights

The Satellite for Orbital Aerodynamics Research (SOAR) is a 3U CubeSat that will study the residual atmosphere and associated gas-surface interactions in very low earth orbits (VLEO). Led by the University of Manchester as a part of the DISCOVERER Project, the primary aim of the SOAR mission was to test and characterize new materials that can reduce the experienced drag and increase aerodynamic performance in low altitude orbits. The satellite also performed characterization of the atmospheric flow and demonstrated novel aerodynamic attitude control maneuvers.

The SmallSat Revolution

From 2013 to 2016, we supported the deployment of 110 Earth-imaging satellites, accelerating the commercialization of low-Earth orbit and proving the business case for small satellite constellations supporting observation and consumer data.