XCD-12U/16U Hybrid
XTERRA (Arrow Science and Technology)
User-convertible large-format CubeSat dispenser supporting 8U, 12U or 16U satellites (227-454mm length) in a single system, with the largest access panels on the market.
Technical specifications
- Satellite formats supported
- 8U, 12U, 16U
- Max satellite mass - 8U
- 16 kg
- Max satellite mass - 12U
- 28 kg (higher masses may be considered on request)
- Max satellite mass - 16U
- 32 kg (higher masses may be considered on request)
- Satellite length - 8U
- 227 mm (rail end to rail end)
- Satellite length - 12U
- 340.5 mm (rail end to rail end)
- Satellite length - 16U
- 454 mm (rail end to rail end)
- Conversion time between form factors
- ~1 hour
- CG offset limit - 8U
- X ±45 mm, Y ±45 mm, Z ±45 mm
- CG offset limit - 12U
- X ±45 mm, Y ±45 mm, Z ±67.5 mm
- CG offset limit - 16U
- X ±45 mm, Y ±45 mm, Z ±90 mm
- Empty dispenser mass - 16U configuration
- 17.91 kg (other masses are satellite-length dependent)
- Aft mounting interface
- M6x1 threaded inserts on Z- face, matches SpaceX RPUG Figure A-7 'G' hole pattern
- Access panels
- 4x large access panels, one per side
- Door opening angle
- 95-105 degrees, locked via 4x redundant spring-loaded kickstands
- Deployment confirmation
- Embedded microswitch in rail section
- Typical tip-off rate
- ~5 deg/s or less
- Activation switch travel - Z axis
- 0.75 mm minimum
- Activation switch travel - X/Y axis
- 1.5 mm minimum
- Electrical components
- Microswitch, side-mounted actuator, single connector (primary + redundant signal)
- Document revision
- XTD-100270, Rev 1.2.2, updated 1-21-26
About
The XTERRA CubeSat Dispenser (XCD) 12U/16U Hybrid extends XTERRA’s patent-pending modular dispenser architecture to large-format CubeSats. It is user convertible between 12U and 16U compatibility in a single system, with no need for mass-model spacers, and can be converted between form factors in about an hour using custom satellite spacers that accommodate any satellite length from 227mm to 454mm without changing the satellite-facing dispenser components. It accepts satellites anywhere from 227mm to 454mm in length and is the first commercially flown 16U dispenser.
Access panels are provided on all four sides of the dispenser, giving the highest surface-area access to an integrated payload of any dispenser on the market (e.g., for RBF pin removal or data connections). Doors are held by a single actuator, open 95-105 degrees, and lock in place with four redundant spring-loaded kickstands so the satellite cannot be recontacted during deployment; the actuator resets in minutes. Aft mounting uses M6x1 threaded inserts on the Z- face matching the SpaceX RPUG Figure A-7 ‘G’ hole pattern. A threaded-puck preload mechanism clamps the satellite on the Z faces to damp high-frequency lateral loads, the same approach used on over 95% of XTERRA’s 400+ flight deployments. Deployment is confirmed via an embedded microswitch, with typical tip-off close to 5 deg/s or less. Electrically the system uses a microswitch (deployment confirmation), a side-mounted actuator (door release), and a single connector carrying primary and redundant signals. Optional customer logo plates can be fitted on all four sides.
Applications: deployment of large-format 8U-16U CubeSats and smallsats on rideshare and dedicated missions. Flight heritage: the XCD-16U configuration was used to deploy a CubeSat on the SpaceX Bandwagon-2 mission in late 2024 for Arrow, making it the first flown 16U dispenser; it builds on the same XCD architecture and deployer lineage as the XCD-3U/6U Hybrid (Nanoracks NRCSD/NRSS/NRDD, E-NRCSD, SEOPS Slingshot/Equalizer).
Documentation
Need the full ICD, test reports or a specific revision? Ask the supplier directly.
