Payload Separation Performance of a New 6U CubeSat Canisterized Satellite Dispenser

The Air Force Research Laboratory Space Vehicles Directorate and Planetary Systems Corporation intend to verify the payload separation performance of new 3U and 6U CubeSat canisters aboard a parabolic aircraft. The experiment is designed to measure the separation velocity and tip-off rates of various mock spacecraft as they are ejected from the new 3U- and 6U-sized Canisterized Satellite Dispensers (CSD). Accelerations and rotations will be measured aboard the mock spacecraft as it is observed from the exterior with high-speed video. The data will be used to verify spacecraft separation models and ensure proper operation of the CSD in microgravity. The results will provide risk reduction for an upcoming Operationally Responsive Space mission that will bring the technology to TRL 9.
Video of parabolic flight test: https://youtu.be/0MCJWuBLyv4

Paper at 30th Space Symposium 2014: 'CANISTERIZED SATELLITE DISPENSER (CSD) AS A STANDARD FOR INTEGRATING AND DISPENSING HOSTED PAYLOADS ON LARGE SPACECRAFT AND LAUNCH VEHICLES'

SBIR award Phase I (2010-2011)
SBIR award Phase II (2011-2015)

The new 3U and 6U CubeSat canister dispensers support the reduction of cost of demonstrating hardware and collecting data, which will benefit the commercial space industry, future NASA missions and other govenment agencies such as the Department of Defense.

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