NASA Johnson Space Center’s (JSC) International Space Station (ISS) and Engineering communities in collaboration with the Department of Defense (DoD) Space Test Program (STP) developed a dedicated 50-100 kg class ISS small satellite deployment system. The system is known as Space Station Integrated Kinetic Launcher for Orbital Payload Systems (SSIKLOPS).  With SSIKLOPS, launching of 50-100kg is now possible. SSIKLOPS fills the payload deployment gap between small cubesat launchers and major payloads enabling a whole new range of payload possibilities.

Craig Technologies Aerospace Solutions (CTAS) provides turnkey services to manage and execute the successful integration and on-orbit operations of satellite payloads using the Space Station Integrated Kinetic Launcher for Orbital Payload Systems (SSIKLOPS). SSIKLOPS fills the payload deployment gap between small cubesat launchers and major payloads by supporting the microsatellite market (50-100kg).

Craig’s offerings include operation, engineering, and manufacturing to provide full life-cycle payload support. This Mission Operations and Integration expertise includes the capabilities of the Craig ISS flight test platform which supports commercial payloads related to science, STEM, art and entertainment, data or any other commercial endeavor requiring an exterior location in unpressurized space.

SSIKLOPS utilizes NASA’s ISS resupply vehicles to launch small sats to the ISS in a controlled pressurized environment in soft stow bags. The satellites are then processed through the ISS pressurized environment by the astronaut crew allowing satellite system diagnostics prior to orbit insertion. Orbit insertion is achieved through use of the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency’s Experiment Module Robotic Airlock (JEM Airlock), and one of the ISS Robotic Arms.

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The interface between SSIKLOPS and the satellite attaches to the satellite via 3 bolts. It has a mass of approximately 0.11 kg (0.25 lb).