Naval Postgraduate School CubeSat Launcher
Shipping Container
Leonel Zagal, Jr
Engineering, Hartnell College, Salinas, CA 93901
Dr. James H. Newman, Professor, Space System
Abstract
Naval Postgraduate School CubeSat Launcher
currently utilizes a shipping container that was
originally manufactured in the 1960’s for US
Navy Project 57. The project was to design a
replacement shipping container for NPSCuL. The
NPSCuL structure holds eight Cal Poly P-PODs
(Poly-Picosatellite Orbital Dispensers), which in
turn each are capable of holding from one to three
CubeSats each. NPSCuL is launched into space
and the CubeSats are subsequently deployed, so
the NPSCuL shipping container will be holding
high value contents. The container has to meet
the requirements for transporting NPSCuL and
may be utilized for other Space System projects.
The container has to sustain the weight of the
payload, which can range from 190 to 220
pounds. It must have a humidity indicator, shock
and vibration absorbent suspension, handles
strong enough to lift a loaded container and must
also be hermetically sealed. Furthermore, the
container must be mobile and light weight enough
that two people are capable of moving it without
the use of a fork-lift. The NPSCuL shipping
container will be state-of-the-art technology and
high-tech space system equipment where
equipment failure is simply not an option.
Materials
• 36.5” x 36.5” x1/2”
Aluminum Sheet
• 27” x 27” x 1/ 2”
Aluminum Plate
• Stainless Steel
Hardware
• Single Lid Cube
Case
• PVC Pipe
Results
Conclusions
Figure 2. To the right is the
The old aluminum container had an
approximation of 450 lbs. with four hardware
systems. The new container weighs 87 lbs. and
has eight hardware systems. The new container is
made of high impact polyethylene. The case
meets all Legal Department specifications and
regulations for transporting. The case is capable
of collecting , storing, and communicating data to
external hardware. The case represents a major
advance from previous technology.
current shipping container
used to transport CubeSats.
Deployment Partners
• Naval
Postgraduate
School
• California
Polytechnic State
University
• United Launch
Alliance
• SRI International
The refurbished shipping container cost a total of
$3,300.00 dollars. It was modified to have an
improved dust cover. The cover is Navy blue
sunbrella canvas with a build in soft cloth cover.
It also has flex bolt sandwich mounts. Each
mount has a maximum load of 49 lb. A gasket
inside the container seals the interior with one
standard atmosphere (atm) of nitrogen to stabilize
the NPSCuL. Shock absorbers inside the
container minimize shock damage due to terrain.
Additionally, an airtight chamber, humidity
indicator, and a purge valve provide
environmental controls. Each of these chambers
are required for the NPSCuL to be stable during
transport.
• Offset Handles
Figure 4. Handles will be place for additional
support in process of harnessing
over the break over fixture.
The Single Lid Tower case is one-piece
construction lightweight. It is molded with tongue
and groove gaskets. The gaskets are parting lines
for splash resistance and tight seals. The case
features special design corner and edges
reinforced for additional impact protection. It has
a positive anti-shear locks, which prevent lid
separation after impact, and reduce stress on
hardware. The case will have removable wheels
for easy storage during transportation.
Hardware
Herman, Andy “Satellite Shipping & Storage
Container” Barum & Dewar Ltd.(2006). Print.
Matsumura, Yasuhiro, et al. “ Container for
Suspension and Filtration of Stool” United
States Patent Application Publication
US2006/0122534A1(2006): 1-15. Print.
Preisler, Norbert M ‘Container for Circular DiskShaped Objects” United States Patent
Application Publication US2002/0157973 A1
(2002): 1-13. Print.
Acknowledgments
• Airtight
• Air Wheels
• Breather Valve
Indicator
• Humidity Indicator
• Cable mounts
• Anti-Shear Locks
• Thumb Drive
• Purge/Fill Valve
Dr. James H. Newman, Vidur Kaushish, Wenschel
D. Lan, and Ernesto Yzquierdo of the Space
System Academic Group (SSAG).
Dr. Kelly Locke , Andy Newton, and Joe Welch of
Hartnell College.
Funding for this internship was provided by the
Department of Education Title V Strengthening
Transfer Pathways Grant.
Figure 6. Intern
Leonel and mentor
Dr. Newman.
Figure 1.
Illustration of
SPACECRAFT,
an important
piece of
equipment of
the 1960’s
Shipping
Container.
Literature cited
Figure 3. Research Assistant Ernesto Yzquierdo (left) and Lab
Figure 5.
Manager David Rigmaiden (right) assembling the current
Shipping Container and NPSCuL.
Single lid
Cube case.
For further information
Please contact Jhnewman@nps.edu or
Leonel_Zagal@yahoo.com
.