NanoRacks Update on CubeSat Deployer Problem
NanoRacks this morning provided an update on the NanoRacks CubeSat Deployers (NRCSD) which had inadvertently deployed thee CubeSats while not deploying others when commanded. The NanRacks team has been able to replicate the problem on the ground which they hope will lead to a solution.
Here’s the update from NanoRacks:
The investigation of the anomalies on the CubeSat deployers continues and has three
main components:
1. To understand the root cause of the behavior of the deployers
2. To put corrective actions into place
3. To plan a resumption in CubeSat deployments
We believe we are making progress in understanding the root cause of the anomalies.
The team of NanoRacks and the CubeSat deployer manufacturer Quad M are now able
to duplicate on the ground the anomalies observed in space.
Yesterday we showed the results to a NASA working group. In addition, NanoRacks has
brought in a team from the Aerospace Corporation to assist NanoRacks in the
investigation and in finding a pathway for future deployments. All parties are reviewing
historical and new test data to validate the preliminary root cause we have identified. At
the same time, the broad root cause analysis continues as NASA and NanoRacks explore
all possible causes.
NanoRacks is appreciative of the hard work of NASA and the other ISS partners,
including Roscosmos and JAXA, as they examine and seek to help resolve the situation.
We are also appreciative for the many notes and calls we have received from the
industry in support for this ground-breaking effort to stimulate the CubeSat market.
We will provide further information when appropriate.
