The state-of-the-art of microelectronics and mechanics makes it possible to fulfill such tasks by nanosatellites that were formerly fulfilled only by big and expensive spacecraft. These are the tasks of the Earth remote sensing, exploration of the near-earth space and nearby planets, and biological research. Besides, nanosattelites are an inexpensive platform for trying out units of new onboard equipment for big spacecraft, and also effective training facilities for future space industry experts.

Small satellites are usually injected into orbit as a piggyback payload. To simplify their adaptation to the existing launching means, a transport-launch container was developed by Samara Space Centre to launch CubeSat-type nanosatellites of 3U, 3U+ sizes. The transport-launch container is adapted to the control and telemetry system interfaces of launch-vehicles, spacecraft and upper stage manufactured by Samara Space Centre.

The transport-launch container has proven items of high-reliability, and kinematics of its new items was profoundly analyzed using mathematical models.

High unification of transport-launch container components enables quick development and manufacture of a launch container from several standard items for nanosatellites of necessary type and size.

Taking into account the fact that nanosatellites have limited energy supply resulting in low efficiency of their angular motion stabilization systems, the container was developed so that a nanosatellite’s angular velocity disturbance was minimized during separation. The applied technical solutions enabled decrease in angular velocity of nanosatellites of 3U-size down to no more than 10 degrees per second after separation, which is proven by experimental tryout data.

Innovations and advantages

High unification of transport-launch container components enables decreasing part spectrum for all types and sizes of transport-launch container, cost for container component tryout and as a result increasing payback of investments.

Creation of a transport-launch container will enable launching nanosatellites of all types and sizes as a piggyback payload onboard launching means of Samara Space Centre.

High adaptation of the transport-launch container to launch-vehicle control system, satellites and upper stages of in-house development will allow reducing launch preparation time and providing prompt access to space for universities, schools and small research teams interested in nanosatellite-based research.

Stage of development: available for demonstration: 3 prototypes of 3U+ size produced; ground tested.

Manufacturing agreement: manufacture of end-user goods for based on human recourses and production facilities of the enterprise.