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Why CubeSats?

In the course of developing this service, we have been asked, "Why make a dedicated launch service for CubeSats? What can CubeSats do?" This has led to many interesting projects and proven how valuable CubeSats are in helping the space industry. We have found high-cadence launches of dedicated 3U launch vehicles can speed up the development of space technology and revolutionize the space industry.

It should be noted that the question is not just about CubeSats, but also dedicated launch. If we intend to perform around 100 launches per year (see our Mission page), that suggests roughly 2 launches per week on average. Each launch uses the orbital inclination and launch timing that particular customer prefers. This can be useful for rendezvous with celestial bodies or other satellites, for example repair missions, or for optimal coverage over certain regions on Earth with telecommunications or observation.

What is a CubeSat?

CubeSats are the most common form of nanosatellite (using the common definition of the term: a satellite of 1-10 kg). The formal CubeSat standards document and overviews are freely available at www.cubesat.org/cubesatinfo. They specify the size, mass, and certain elements of how one operates. CubeCab's launch contracts for CubeSats incorporate the specification by reference, in part to minimize interaction between launch vehicle and satellite so as to reduce the chance of failure while providing service to the maximum number of customers.

A picture showcasing a diagram of a typical 3U CubeSat

A 3U CubeSat is 3 units of a CubeSat stacked on top of each other to build a satellite that is 10cm x 10cm x 30cm that holds up to 6 kg of payload mass. This standard helps satellite launchers build launch vehicles to a standard reusable size that is easily manufactured. It also means there are vendors that provide components designed to the CubeSat standard, anywhere from frames and controllers all the way to full-up kits.

This size limitation only applies while en route to space. After a CubeSat reaches orbit, it can deploy structures beyond that volume such as extendable antennas, solar panels that unfold to form "wings" that can track the Sun, or even inflatable lenses to get around the physics limitations of small lenses. Since the CubeSat standard is widely used, there are a growing number of vendors who make deployable structures and other features to put into a CubeSat dimensions, to the point of being able to buy many components off the shelf.

Some of the many uses of CubeSats: