Portal:Spaceflight/Selected article/Week 49 2008

A CubeSat is a type of space research picosatellite with dimensions usually of 10×10×10 centimetres (i.e., a volume of exactly one litre), weighing no more than one kilogram, and typically using commercial off-the-shelf electronics components. The term "CubeSat" was refers specifically to nano-satellites which adhere to the standards described in the CubeSat Design Specification published by the California Polytechnic State University (CalPoly), and not to other Cube-like nano-satellites such as the NASA MEPSI nano-satellites, which are slighly larger than CubeSats.

Developed through joint efforts, CalPoly and Stanford University introduced the CubeSat as a way for universities throughout the world to conduct experiments into space science and exploration. The standard 10×10×10 cm basic CubeSat is designated a "1U" CubeSat meaning one unit. CubeSats are scalable in 1U increments and larger CubeSats such as a "2U" CubeSat (20×10×10 cm) and a "3U" CubeSat (30×10×10 cm) have been both built and launched. (more...)