GPOD CubeSat Deployer
GAUSS Srl
Flexible 1U-3U+ CubeSat deployment mechanism with accessible side panels and non-explosive Frangibolt actuation, flight-proven on Dnepr launches.
Technical specifications
- Mass
- 1.9 kg
- Nominal Payload Mass
- 4 kg
- Maximum Payload Mass
- 5.2 kg
- Outside envelope (3U)
- 430 x 132 x 129 mm
- Inner Envelope (3U)
- 100 x 100 x 340.5 mm
- Ejection velocity (+Z axis)
- 1.11 to 1.25 m/s (with nominal payload mass)
- Ejection max angle error (+Z axis)
- 2.25 deg
- Opening system
- Frangibolt (TiNi Aerospace) - non-explosive, redundant
- Telemetry Switches
- 2x SPDT
- Flight heritage
- UniSat-5, UniSat-6 (Dnepr launch vehicle)
- TRL
- 9 (flight-proven)
About
The GAUSS CubeSat Deployer ‘GPOD’ was developed to provide a flexible deploying option for CubeSats. The system is designed to be installed onboard a rocket or a satellite and is the preferred deploying mechanism for GAUSS UniSat missions. GPOD is available in 1U, 2U, 3U, 3U+ and customized versions; the triple-unit (3U) GPOD may be used both for dedicated 3U CubeSat launches and shared launches consisting of a combination of smaller CubeSats (e.g. 3x1U, 2×1.5U, 1U+2U, 6U). All side panels allow access to the integrated CubeSat over its entire length, and the door has a round opening to access the top of the satellite – useful for powering the CubeSat until integration inside the rocket. The GPOD inner additional envelope is 11.5mm, allowing CubeSats to extend laterally up to 10mm compared to the 6.5mm common CubeSat interface standard. The deployer needs no power source to stay closed; the opening system is Frangibolt (TiNi Aerospace), a space-qualified, redundant, non-explosive actuator, and the telemetry system relies on redundant deployment-status switches. The GPOD flew successfully on UniSat-5 and UniSat-6 on two separate Dnepr launch vehicle missions.
Documentation
Need the full ICD, test reports or a specific revision? Ask the supplier directly.
