. 24/7 Space News .
MICROSAT BLITZ
D-Orbit awarded with ESA GSTP contract for the development of a precise in-orbit CubeSat deployer
by Staff Writers
Fino Mornasco, Italy (SPX) Jan 15, 2019

.

The European Space Agency (ESA) awarded D-Orbit SpA with the General Support Technology Programme (GSTP) contract n 4000126167 titled "Development of a Precise In-Orbit CubeSat Deployer."

The GSTP is an optional ESA program to enable the European space industry to develop leading edge space technology. Under the GSTP, ESA partner organizations - the Italian Space Agency (ASI) in this instance - allocate additional funding for a project. The program's mission is to convert promising engineering concepts into mature products, bridging the gap between research laboratories and commercial space missions.

"We are proud of the confidence that ESA has demonstrated by awarding us this contract," said Renato Panesi, D-Orbit's Chief Commercial Officer. "We are extremely grateful to the Italian Space Agency for creating this opportunity."

The euro 2.6M contract covers the study, specification, design, production, and qualification of a small satellite with the ability to transport a batch of CubeSats to orbit, and deploy each one of them independently over the course of the mission, changing orbit and attitude before each deployment to accommodate the needs of the client.

The satellite will feature modular and configurable dispensers, designed to accommodate several combinations of CubeSats of different form factors. Each CubeSat will be connected to the satellite bus until deployment, receiving power and data, enabling operators to checkout their CubeSats during the pre-launch phases and before their release into orbit.

This launch and deployment solution will provide a single interface towards the launcher authorities, a simplification of satellite integration for CubeSat operators, and a precision deployment to orbit that will significantly reduce satellite dispersion time.

D-Orbit has already gained a foothold on the development of this CubeSat launch and deployment technology with its ION CubeSat Carrier, a free-flyer CubeSat dispenser whose first launch is slated for mid 2019.

"We are all extremely excited to have a chance to work with ESA on our next generation CubeSat Carriers," said Lorenzo Ferrario, D-Orbit Chief Technology Officer.

The first phase of the contract, which started on January 1st, 2019, and will last five months, will lead to the finalization of the design. The second phase, which will last 11 months, will end with the delivery of the fully qualified spacecraft. The launch is slated for second half of 2020.

The management of D-Orbit, along with the entire team, expresses their gratitude to the Italian Space Agency for believing in us and sharing our vision.


Related Links
D-Orbit
Microsat News and Nanosat News at SpaceMart.com


Thanks for being there;
We need your help. The SpaceDaily news network continues to grow but revenues have never been harder to maintain.

With the rise of Ad Blockers, and Facebook - our traditional revenue sources via quality network advertising continues to decline. And unlike so many other news sites, we don't have a paywall - with those annoying usernames and passwords.

Our news coverage takes time and effort to publish 365 days a year.

If you find our news sites informative and useful then please consider becoming a regular supporter or for now make a one off contribution.
SpaceDaily Monthly Supporter
$5+ Billed Monthly


paypal only
SpaceDaily Contributor
$5 Billed Once


credit card or paypal


MICROSAT BLITZ
World-first chameleon satellite leaving native British shores
Paris (ESA) Jan 10, 2019
The last component of British-built chameleon satellite, Eutelsat Quantum, is getting ready to leave home for good. The final piece of equipment is part of the new SSTL platform; the chassis that provides a payload with structure, power and the ability to propel itself through space. Representing a major first for the company, the platform weighs in at just over 1 tonne, which is an order of magnitude bigger than any other satellite they have built in the past. The new technologies abo ... read more

Comment using your Disqus, Facebook, Google or Twitter login.



Share this article via these popular social media networks
del.icio.usdel.icio.us DiggDigg RedditReddit GoogleGoogle

MICROSAT BLITZ
Not just for kids: a leap for seniors at Vegas tech show

India plans manned space mission by December 2021

India's second moon mission in mid-April

High-Risk Space Gambling

MICROSAT BLITZ
SpaceX laying off 10 percent of workforce

SpaceX launches final 10 satellites for Iridium

Roscosmos introduces $15Bln cap on building Yenisei super-heavy rocket

Elon Musk shows off prototype of Mars-bound rocket, Starship

MICROSAT BLITZ
UK tests self driving robots for Mars

ExoMars mission has good odds of finding life on Mars if life exists.

Mars Express gets festive: A winter wonderland on Mars

Over Six Months Without Word From Opportunity

MICROSAT BLITZ
China launches Zhongxing-2D satellite

China to deepen lunar exploration: space expert

China welcomes world's scientists to collaborate in lunar exploration

In space, the US sees a rival in China

MICROSAT BLITZ
SpaceX Falcon 9 completes Iridium Next launch campaign

The Satellite Applications Catapult partners with Infostellar to provide improved ground station access

Why I'm excited about Amazon entering the SatCom industry

Year of many new beginnings for Indian space sector

MICROSAT BLITZ
Northrop Grumman to support U.S. Army's Starlite radar system

Raytheon awarded $9.3M contract for Spy-1 radar work

Raytheon to equip classic Hornet with upgraded radar

A new twist on a mesmerizing story

MICROSAT BLITZ
First comprehensive, interactive tool to track SETI searches

Nature's magnifying glass reveals unexpected intermediate mass exoplanets

TESS discovers its third new planet, with longest orbit yet

Astronomers find warped protoplanetary disk around distant star

MICROSAT BLITZ
New Ultima Thule Discoveries from NASA's New Horizons

New Horizons unveils Ultima and Thule as a binary Kuiper

NASA says faraway world Ultima Thule shaped like 'snowman'

NASA succeeds in historic flyby of faraway world









The content herein, unless otherwise known to be public domain, are Copyright 1995-2024 - Space Media Network. All websites are published in Australia and are solely subject to Australian law and governed by Fair Use principals for news reporting and research purposes. AFP, UPI and IANS news wire stories are copyright Agence France-Presse, United Press International and Indo-Asia News Service. ESA news reports are copyright European Space Agency. All NASA sourced material is public domain. Additional copyrights may apply in whole or part to other bona fide parties. All articles labeled "by Staff Writers" include reports supplied to Space Media Network by industry news wires, PR agencies, corporate press officers and the like. Such articles are individually curated and edited by Space Media Network staff on the basis of the report's information value to our industry and professional readership. Advertising does not imply endorsement, agreement or approval of any opinions, statements or information provided by Space Media Network on any Web page published or hosted by Space Media Network. General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) Statement Our advertisers use various cookies and the like to deliver the best ad banner available at one time. All network advertising suppliers have GDPR policies (Legitimate Interest) that conform with EU regulations for data collection. By using our websites you consent to cookie based advertising. If you do not agree with this then you must stop using the websites from May 25, 2018. Privacy Statement. Additional information can be found here at About Us.