The CubeSat Standard for Small Satellites

Angela Olinger

2/29/17

On my honor, as an Aggie, I have neither given nor received unauthorized aid on this academic

work

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 The CubeSat platform is a standardized nanosatellite system available to any developer.

This has allowed universities easier access to space for the past decade and a half, and has

recently been adopted by more and more commercial space companies. CubeSats are cheaper

and generally easier to design than traditional satellites making them attractive to smaller

companies. The unique features of the CubeSat also enables missions that would otherwise be

impracticle.

The CubeSat standard was first created in 1999 by California Polytechnic State

University, San Luis Obispo (CalPoly) to provide a simple, standardized platform for space

missions [2]. Initially intended to allow universities to use the platform as a teaching tool, the

CubeSat form factor allows students to gain engineering experience on a less complicated

mission. The CubeSat design is very well documented, such that it can be adapted for any

number of different space missions. Until 2013, CubeSats where used primarily by universities,

with some interest by the military and NASA as well. Since then, the overall number of

CubeSats deployed has increased dramatically, due to the drastic increase in interest by

commercial entities (Figure 1).

 Figure 1: CubeSats by Mission Type 2000-2015 [5]

The CubeSat is a standardized miniature satellite that is typically used for space based

research. CubeSats are based on a scalable design based on a single unit size of 10 x 10 x 11.35

cm [1]. They are typically employed in the range of 1U to 6U, with a 1U CubeSat weighing a

maximum of 1.33 kg [1].

Figure 2: 1U CubeSat Form Factor [1]

CubeSats are deployed from a standardized launcher by sliding on a set of four rails. These rails

contain springs to separate adjacent CubeSats, as well as deployment switches to prevent any

CubeSat from powering on before deployment. CubeSats are designed to be launched from a

deployer consisting of a box shape that contains an inner volume such that only the rails of a

CubeSat are in contact with the deployer. When launched, a pusher plate on a spring at the base

of the deployer forces the CubeSat(s) forward and into space. Most CubeSat deployers are able

to accommodate up to 3Us of CubeSats at a time. This could be a single 3U CubeSat, or a

combination of 1U, 1.5U and 2U satellites. Once launched, the CubeSat is able to power on and

begin its mission, occasionally unfurling extra solar panels, antennas, or other deployable

hardware that was folded inside the deployer for launch.

CubeSats have been used in recent years for a variety of missions that have benefited

from the platforms advantages. Notably, Planet Labs has been able to deploy over a hundred

CubeSats to create an earth and climate monitoring network [3]. Having an array of satellites all

orbiting in different locations allows imaging and monitoring of the entire globe simultaneously

which would not be possible with fewer, larger satellites. NASA Ames Nodes 1 and 2 satellites

are a pair of 1.5U CubeSats deployed into low earth orbit that were able to demonstrate exchange

of scientific data between the two [4]. This technology could eventually be applied to swarms of

satellites so that each one would not have to be individually controlled from the ground.

The CubeSat form factor provides many advantages over traditional, larger, satellites.

The standardized form factor greatly simplifies and expedites the design process. Since the entire

structure and electronics do not have to be custom designed and manufactured, the designers are

able to focus most of their time and energy on a specific custom payload supporting the

CubeSats primary mission. CubeSats often use commercial off the shelf parts, for electronics,
power systems, and the physical structure itself. The use of commercial parts not only reduces

development time, but also cost since the cost of parts is typically lower than that of designing an

entire system from scratch. CubeSats are also relatively inexpensive to launch. They are light

enough, 1.33 kg for 1U up to 12 kg for a 6U CubeSat, and small enough to be incorporated as a

secondary payload on the launch of a larger satellite. Since add little extra weight, and do not

require a standalone launch, they do not require much additional fuel.

The system specified by the CubeSat standard has provided a means for universities and

companies to get their science and technology projects to space more easily and relatively

cheaply. While it is a new standard, its use has rapidly increased in the last few years, especially

with commercial developers.

References

[1] A. Mehrpavar, "CubeSat Design Specification Rev 13," California Polytechnic State University, San
Luis Obispo, 2014.

[2] E. Howell, "CubeSats: Tiny Payloads, Huge Benefits for Space Research," 6 October 2016. [Online].
Available: http://www.space.com/34324-cubesats.html. [Accessed 28 February 2017].

[3] M. Betancourt, "Rise of the CubeSats," 2016 January 2016. [Online]. Available:
http://www.airspacemag.com/space/rise-cubesats-180957827/. [Accessed 28 February 2017].

[4] NASA, "NASA Small Satellite Duo Deploys from Space Station into Earth Orbit," 17 May 2016.
[Online]. Available: https://www.nasa.gov/centers/ames/engineering/projects/nodes. [Accessed 28
February 2017].

[5] J. D. Deaton, "How Cubesats are Changing the Way We Use Satellites," 5 January 2016. [Online].
Available: https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/cubesats-101-what-going-up-juan-d-deaton-ph-d-.
[Accessed 28 Febraury 2017].