THE CUBESAT STANDARD FOR SMALL SATELLITES

ANGELA OLINGER MEEN 381 SECTION 502 3/1/2017

OUTLINE

Brief History of CubeSats

What is a CubeSat
Recent Missions
Advantages of the CubeSat standard
Conclusions
A BRIEF HISTORY OF CUBESATS

Design standard developed in 1999 by CalPoly.

Initially used by universities as an academic exercise.
Design standard refined to support larger CubeSats
and allow more features.
A BRIEF HISTORY OF CUBESATS
WHAT IS A CUBESAT?

A nanosatellite conforming to a specific design

standard.
Based on a unit of 10 x 10 x 11.35 cm.
1U 12U
1.33 kg to 20 kg
Standardized components available for purchase.
WHAT IS A CUBESAT?

Deployed via sliding rails

Can be deployed from ISS, a rocket, or another
satellite.
Separation springs and deployment switches allow
multiple deployments at once
Solar panels, antennas, etc can be unfurled after
primary deployment.
RECENT CUBESAT MISSIONS

NODES 1 and 2 Planet Labs

Two way networked communication Network of over 100 CubeSats

Earth imaging
Climate monitoring
BENEFITS

Less development time

Cheaper to manufacture
Cheaper to launch
More available launch opportunities
CONCLUSIONS

Standardized nanosatellite system

Used by universities as well as commercial space companies.
Enables unique missions such as networked satellites
Easier to design, manufacture, and launch
QUESTIONS?