ENGLEWOOD, COLO. — Seeking to expand the satellite launching capabilities of the International Space Station, Colorado-based Surrey Satellite Technology US LLC (SST-US) has signed a contract with NanoRacks LLC for future flights of a 100-kilogram-class satellite platform specifically developed by SST-US for deployment from the International Space Station (ISS) using the NanoRacks Kaber deployment system.
The satellite platform can weigh up to 100 kilograms, accommodating payloads up to 45 kilograms in mass in multiple configurations. Each spacecraft will be able to provide an average power of 50 watts, yet can be upgraded for missions with higher mission requirements.
Dr. John Paffett, chief executive officer of SST-US, commented, “Utilization of the ISS for launch of small satellite platforms has increased in recent years with a number of cubesat platforms being deployed. Our agreement with NanoRacks and the development of our one-hundred-kilogram-class, ISS-optimized satellite platform will significantly expand the capability, enabling larger, higher performance missions and payloads to be deployed from the station.”
The ISS- optimized spacecraft will be shipped to the ISS inside a cargo resupply vessel and deployed from the station using a system called the “Kaber” developed by NanoRacks. The Kaber deployer is on orbit and currently being prepped for operations on the ISS in the Japanese Experiment Module (JEM). The satellite platform is designed to go from contract signing to launch readiness in just 12 months, with manufacturing, integration, and testing performed at the SST-US facilities in Englewood, Colorado.
NanoRacks is able to provide this space station opportunity via its Space Act Agreement with NASA’s U.S National Labs.
About Surrey Satellite Technology US LLC
Surrey Satellite is the world’s leading small satellite innovator with over 30 years of experience and 47 successful missions to date. For decades, Surrey has been changing the economics of space by providing cost-effective, full mission solutions through continual advancements in small satellite technology, applications, and services. Surrey Satellite Technology US LLC is a wholly owned subsidiary of Surrey Satellite Technology Limited (SSTL) an independent British company within the Airbus Defence & Space group. Incorporated in 2008 and located in Englewood, Colorado, Surrey Satellite Technology US LLC serves the U.S. market. www.surreysatellite.com | Twitter: @SurreySatUS
About NanoRacks LLC
NanoRacks LLC was formed in 2009 to provide commercial hardware and services for the U.S. National Laboratory onboard the International Space Station via a Space Act Agreement with NASA.
As of July 2016, over 375 payloads have been launched to the International Space Station via NanoRacks services, and our customer base includes the European Space Agency (ESA) the German Space Agency (DLR,) the American space agency (NASA,) US Government Agencies, Surrey Space Centre, Planet Labs, Urthecast, Space Florida, NCESSE, Virgin Galactic, pharmaceutical drug companies, and organizations in Vietnam, UK, Romania and Israel. www.nanoracks.com
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