The CubeSat Program: Designing To A Satellite Standard Creates Flexibility and Technology Innovation
- Paper number
IAC-08.B4.5.11
- Author
Mr. Ryan Nugent, California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo, United States
- Coauthor
Mr. Roland Coelho, Cal Poly CubeSat, United States
- Coauthor
Mr. Riki Munakata, California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo, United States
- Coauthor
Dr. Jordi Puig-Suari, California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo, United States
- Year
2008
- Abstract
California Polytechnic State University, along with Stanford University, developed the CubeSat standard as an inexpensive and rapid means of launching small payloads into orbit. Over 100 organizations, universities, government agencies and private companies, have developed satellites built to this standard, with most satellites being completed within a one or two year time frame.
This paper will focus on the continuing development of the Poly Pico-satellite Orbital Deployer (P-POD), and its leading role in standardizing CubeSat satellite development. The P-POD, as a standard interface, makes an ideal secondary payload: it protects the launch vehicle and the primary payload, as well as the CubeSats, and is compatible with various launch vehicles. The size and mass of any two loaded P-PODs are nearly identical, allowing Cal Poly to coordinate launch opportunities without having fully matured satellites, resulting in a repeatable and cost-efficient method. In one case, launch manifests were switched between two different launches proving the flexibility of the P-POD standard launch interface. Another unique capability of the P-POD was realized when the P-POD was successfully launched in unconventional locations on a launch vehicle, for instance on the motor casing of the upper stage. Over the past 5 years, the CubeSat Standard has used lessons learned to streamline the access to space process for small satellites.
The CubeSat program has demonstrated many of the advantages of standardization in space systems:
Improved launch access: The creation of a modular deployment system has provided quick access to a variety of launch vehicles. In addition, flight heritage is leveraged among multiple launch systems.Faster satellite development time: Given the standard launch interface, CubeSat developers can start designing spacecraft without a defined launch opportunity.Sharing of knowledge: The large number of developers working on a common standard created a valuable knowledge base which can be used to significantly accelerate the design/development process.Driving the market to conform: The CubeSat standard has created a market to miniaturize technology and a number of off-the-shelf components are now available for CubeSats.As standards evolve, there is also the need for increased satellite capability with volume and power. Cal Poly is currently developing a larger standard to accommodate this surge in technological growth while retaining the successful P-POD standards and without impacting the launch vehicle or primary payload.
CubeSats provide a unique flexibility in the aerospace industry opening up quicker and cost-effective mission opportunities than ever before.
- Abstract document
- Manuscript document
(absent)