Embry-Riddle team tests nitrogen CubeSat deployer propulsion

(SpaceEnergy) Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University researchers have detailed cold-gas propulsion testing for a CubeSat deployer designed to place multiple small satellites into customised orbits autonomously.

The Satellite Autonomous Launch Assembly (SATLASS) uses nitrogen gas propulsion and a modular housing designed to carry configurations ranging from three 1U CubeSats to one 3U spacecraft.

The project is intended to give a deployer its own manoeuvring capability after launch, allowing hosted CubeSats to be released into different low Earth orbit trajectories rather than relying solely on the launch vehicle’s deployment conditions.

The work was published through the Small Satellite Conference repository for presentation in Salt Lake City, Utah, on 25 August.