NanoRacks Deploys First “Doublewide” Satellites from ISS

Earth’s horizon and the blackness of space provide the backdrop for the Feb. 11 deployment of the first of 33 small satellites using the NanoRacks CubeSat Deployer. Photo: NASA.

NanoRacks has successfully completed its 13th CubeSat deployment mission from the International Space Station (ISS). As these five CubeSats enter Low Earth Orbit (LEO), this brings NanoRacks to 176 total CubeSats deployed into space via the NanoRacks CubeSat Deployer (NRCSD).

According to NanoRacks, this mission marks the first deployment of the industry standard 6U CubeSats in the 2U x 3U form factor from the NanoRacks Doublewide Deployers. The 6U satellites deployed were EcAMSat, Dellingr, and Asteria.

The NRCSD-13 Mission included satellites launched on the most recent SpaceX and Orbital ATK commercial resupply services missions to station for NASA, which launched Aug. 14 and Nov. 11, respectively.

“CubeSats are following a similar path as cellphones — first they were as small as possible, and now they are starting to grow in both size and capability. Now, beyond just accommodating the industry standard 6U form factors, we can deploy CubeSats up to 12U in size from the ISS, providing opportunities for more advanced payload concepts,” said NanoRacks External Payloads Manager Conor Brown.