Early on the morning of October 24, NanoRacks successfully deployed the Kestrel Eye IIM (KE2M) smallsat via the Company’s Kaber Microsatellite Deployer (Kaber) from the International Space Station (SS) — this is the largest satellite that NanoRacks has deployed to date, and the first deployed from the Kaber deployer.

NanoRacks Kaber Deployment Program allows for a larger EXPRESS class of satellites to be deployed from the International Space Station, up to 100 kilograms. NanoRacks deploys these Kaber-class satellites currently through the Japanese Experiment Module Airlock, and will shift deployments to the NanoRacks Airlock Module when the Company’s commercial Airlock becomes operational (planned for 2019).

Artistic rendition of the Kestrel Eye IIM smallsat.

KE2M is an Army Space and Missile Defense Command (SMDC) and Adcole-Maryland Aerospace program, serving as a technology demonstration smallsat carrying an optical imaging system payload, including a commercial-off-the-shelf (COTS) telescope. The goal of KE2M’s investigation is to demonstrate that smallsats are viable platforms for providing critical path support to operations and hosting advanced payloads.

Kestrel Eye IIM deployment from ISS via NanoRacks Kaber system.

Notably, KE2M could provide lower-cost Earth imagery in support of time-sensitive operations, such as tracking severe weather and detecting natural disasters.

To learn more about the KE2M mission, select this direct link...

To learn more about the NanoRacks Kaber Deployer, select this direct link...