XCD-3U/6U Hybrid
XTERRA (Arrow Science and Technology)
User-convertible CubeSat dispenser that switches between 1U, 2U, 3U or 6UXL compatibility in a single patented system, or pairs into an industry-standard Quadpack configuration.
Technical specifications
- Satellite formats supported (3U tube)
- 1U, 2U, 3U
- Satellite formats supported (6U tube)
- 2U, 4U, 6U
- Max satellite mass - 1U (3U tube)
- 2.17 kg
- Max satellite mass - 2U (3U tube)
- 4.33 kg
- Max satellite mass - 3U (3U tube)
- 6.50 kg
- Max satellite mass - 2U (6U tube)
- 3.25 kg
- Max satellite mass - 4U (6U tube)
- 8.67 kg
- Max satellite mass - 6U (6U tube)
- 13.00 kg
- Max satellite length range
- 113.5 mm to 366 mm (rail end to rail end)
- Conversion time between form factors
- ~1 hour
- CG offset limit - 1U
- X ±20 mm, Y ±20 mm, Z ±20 mm
- CG offset limit - 3U
- X ±20 mm, Y ±20 mm, Z ±70 mm
- CG offset limit - 6U
- X ±20 mm, Y ±45 mm, Z ±70 mm
- Empty dispenser mass - standalone 3U config
- 7.25 kg
- Empty dispenser mass - standalone 6U config
- 6.50 kg
- Empty dispenser mass - Quadpack 3U/3U
- 14.7 kg
- Empty dispenser mass - Quadpack 3U/6U
- 13.9 kg
- Empty dispenser mass - Quadpack 6U/6U
- 13.2 kg
- Door opening angle
- 95-105 degrees, locked via redundant spring-loaded kickstands
- Deployment confirmation
- Embedded microswitch in rail section
- Typical tip-off rate
- ~5 deg/s or less
- Deployment velocity range (3U/6U, 2-14 kg satellite mass)
- ~0.80-1.15 m/s (mass dependent)
- Activation switch travel - Z axis
- 0.75 mm minimum
- Activation switch travel - X/Y axis
- 1.5 mm minimum
- Aft mounting interface (Quadpack)
- Matches SpaceX RPUG Figure A-7 'G' hole pattern
- Electrical components
- Microswitch, side-mounted actuator, single connector (primary + redundant signal)
- Document revision
- XTD-100084, Rev 1.3.3, updated 1-21-26
About
The XTERRA CubeSat Dispenser (XCD) 3U/6U Hybrid is a patent-pending, American-made CubeSat deployment system built on XTERRA’s 30+ years of deployer heritage (over 400 satellites deployed, 20+ unique designs). Unlike traditional dispensers that must be purchased separately for each satellite length or form factor, the XCD-3U/6U Hybrid is user convertible between 1U, 2U, 3U or 6UXL compatibility in a single system, with no need for mass-model spacers, and can be reconfigured between 3U and 6U satellite compatibility in about an hour. Custom satellite spacers allow rapid conversion to any satellite length between 113.5mm and 366mm.
The dispenser offers the most integrated satellite access on the market via a clamshell design that exposes maximum surface area during integration, and its independently locking doors open 95-105 degrees and lock in place with redundant spring-loaded kickstands so the satellite is never recontacted during deployment. The actuator resets in minutes without removing major components. Two XCDs can be combined aft-to-aft into an industry-standard Quadpack configuration, whose aft mounting pattern matches the SpaceX RPUG Figure A-7 ‘G’ hole pattern for direct mounting. A threaded-puck preload mechanism clamps the satellite along the Z faces to damp high-frequency lateral loads during launch; this preload approach (used on over 95% of XTERRA’s 400+ deployments) avoids the ‘dynamic rail’ hang/catch risk associated with other dispensers. Deployment is confirmed via an embedded microswitch in the rail section, and typical tip-off is close to 5 deg/s or less. Electrically, the system uses a microswitch (deployment confirmation), a side-mounted actuator (door release) and a single standard connector carrying primary and redundant deployment signals. Optional customer logo plates can be added to the dispenser doors/sides for promotional visibility.
Applications: deployment of 1U-6U CubeSats from expendable and reusable launch vehicles and orbital transfer vehicles, including planned flights on Firefly’s Elytra OTV. Flight heritage: XTERRA/Quad-M deployer lineage includes the Nanoracks NRCSD (first commercially operated ISS CubeSat deployer, 300+ CubeSats deployed since 2014), NRSS, NRDD, E-NRCSD, and SEOPS Slingshot/Equalizer deployers.
Documentation
Need the full ICD, test reports or a specific revision? Ask the supplier directly.
