Characterizing CubeSat Deployer Dynamics in a Microgravity Environment

The Nano-Launch Vehicle CubeSat Deployer (NLV CD) and Poly-Picosatellite Orbital Deployer (P-POD) are two CubeSat deployment systems that have been designed and produced by the Cal Poly CubeSat Program for supporting NASA’s Education Launch of Nanosatellites (ELaNa) missions. As a result of the industry’s growing demand for space access, the NLV CD has recently been developed as a primary payload for nanoclass launch vehicles. Conversely, the P-POD represents the CubeSat Program’s standard deployment system, flying as a secondary payload on 12 launches and successfully deploying over 51 CubeSats into orbit. It is clear that observing the interactions and deployment dynamics of the NLV CD and P-POD systems within the operational environment is important to understanding the CubeSats’ dynamic state following deployment. As a solution, the CubeSat Program will test both systems within a microgravity environment aboard two parabolic flights within the same campaign.

Potential beneficiaries of the characterization are NASA LSP, ARC, JPL, GSFC, US Army, and DARPA.

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