Smallsat & Microsat Deployment
Our satellite deployment opportunities through the International Space Station are trusted globally. Since 2011, we have coordinated the launch and deployment of hundreds of cubesats and smallsats from the Space Station. Deploying from the Space Station offers highly reliable launches with flexible launch windows. Satellites enjoy soft-stowed, pressurized, ambient temperature on launch with a short turn around on reflight.
Our cubesat deployer is a self-contained system that has been in operation since 2014. The deployer consists of anodized aluminum plates, base plate assembly, access panels, and deployer doors. The NRCSD deployer doors are located on the forward end, the base plate assembly is located on the aft end, and access panels are provided on the top. The inside walls of the NRCSD are a smooth bore design to minimize and/or preclude hang-up or jamming of cubesat appendages during deployment.
Our Kaber MicroSat Deployer enables deployment for a class of payload developers normally relying on expendable launch vehicles for space access. MicroSatellites that are compatible with our Kaber Deployer have additional power, volume and communications resources enabling deployment missions in low-Earth orbit of greater scope and sophistication.
Our Bishop Airlock provides the largest satellite deployment opportunity possible on the ISS, including the ability to accommodate various satellite sizes in a single sortie. Astronauts prepare and install payloads and then ground control manages depressurization, EVR and deployment activities. Deployments are performed during an ISS orbital day pass to provide visual confirmation that the payload has properly deployed. Ideal for stellar imagery.
Let us broker your launch on SpaceX Rideshare, India’s PSLV, or other expendable launch vehicles. Our world-renowned mission management service is consistently regarded as the most customer-focused team out there.
Whether cubesats or smallsats, we will take your entire constellation cradle to grave from vehicle selection, launch provider interface, deployer development and test, satellite and vehicle integration, and deployment operations.
Our payload hosting services allow customer hardware to be mounted on the outside of the International Space Station (ISS). Sites on both our External Platform (NREP) and Bishop Airlock accommodate all types of payloads, including hardware for Earth observation, radiation exposure testing and technology demonstrations.
Payload hosting is an ideal alternative to satellite launch and development, allowing for rapid in-space evaluation of concepts and technology prior to adoption into a larger operational program. Key benefits include reducing overall programmatic costs and risk as well as reducing complexity by providing power and data transfer as standard services.
Our Space Station External Platform (NREP) provides turnkey communication, power, and operations to hosted payloads mounted on the outside of the International Space Station. This platform allows for customers to meet technical milestones while reducing mission risk. This platform is ideal for tech demos, Earth observation, radiation exposure, sensor platforms, and meeting technology readiness levels.
Hosting payloads on Bishop is an ideal alternative to satellite development and launch, allowing for rapid in space evaluation of concepts and technology prior to adoption into a larger operational program.
We’re a proud partner of the Canadian CubeSat Project (CCP). This program provided professors in post-secondary institutions with an opportunity to launch a small satellite mission with their students. The CCP project aimed to launch a CubeSat from every province and territory of Canada.
The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) and the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Centre of Nuclear Techniques in Food and Agriculture, leveraged our External Platform to study the effects of cosmic radiation and microgravity on inducing structural changes in plant genomes, and consequently, on induced genetic variations useful for plant breeding towards crop improvement and crop adaptation to climate change.
Image: K. Laffan/IAEA
The Satellite for Orbital Aerodynamics Research (SOAR) is a 3U CubeSat that will study the residual atmosphere and associated gas-surface interactions in very low earth orbits (VLEO). Led by the University of Manchester as a part of the DISCOVERER Project, the primary aim of the SOAR mission was to test and characterize new materials that can reduce the experienced drag and increase aerodynamic performance in low altitude orbits. The satellite also performed characterization of the atmospheric flow and demonstrated novel aerodynamic attitude control maneuvers.
From 2013 to 2016, we supported the deployment of 110 Earth-imaging satellites, accelerating the commercialization of low-Earth orbit and proving the business case for small satellite constellations supporting observation and consumer data.