NanoRacks Deploys CubeSats From ISS

NanoRacks’ cubesats being deployed from ISS. Photo: NanoRacks

[Via Satellite 02-13-2014] NanoRacks has deployed its first two CubeSats from the International Space Station (ISS) that will eventually be part of the largest CubeSat deployment in history. These two CubeSats are a part of a 28-satellite constellation for its customer Planet Labs.

These small satellites, about the size of a loaf of bread, are becoming more popular among governments, military and commercial clients because of the availability of regularly scheduled launches into space and the ability to rapidly deploy entire constellations. The NanoRacks CubeSat Deployment System allows deployment of up to 96 satellites at a time.

NanoRacks has two to three additional deployments scheduled this year, and is working with NASA and JAXA to regularly schedule deployments of CubeSats from the ISS.