Nanosatellite Launch Adapter System

About this technology

Overview

NASA has developed and patented a technology called Nanosatellite Launch Adapter System (NLAS) that maximizes the efficiency of satellite launch opportunities. NLAS increases access to space while simplifying the integration process of miniature satellites, called nanosats or cubesats, onto launch vehicles. Each complete NLAS consists of an adapter, four dispensers, and a sequencer. The adapter is mounted to the upper surface of the launch vehicle and the lower deck of the primary spacecraft. The dispensers are mounted inside the adapter and house a variety of cubesats in fully enclosed bays. NLAS is stackable, allowing for the expansion of spacecraft deployments. An NLAS sequencer can initiate a secondary sequencer, allowing for the expansion of actuator and deployment capability. NLAS provides an integrated system which meets the needs of nearly any mission. NLAS flight demonstration has shown the potential value of multiple, nanosatellites as tools for a wide array of scientific, commercial, and academic space research.