ThinSat 1A, ..., 1L, 2A, ..., 2I

ThinSat 1 (single unit) with solar array ribbon [Virginia Space]

ThinSat 1 launch configuration (21 units) [NSL]

ThinSat 1 deployed in 3- and 6-string configurations [NSL]

The overall goal of the ThinSat-1 mission, is to orbit 60 small experiments to advance STEM education, and promote space science research and systems engineering for grades 4 – 12 and universities. It includes approximately 70 schools from nine states. The student teams will analyze the data collected by their experiment and submit a report detailing their findings. The students will track their experiment and receive data in near real time through the Globalstar network and the Space Data Dashboard website. Online content and resources will enhance the educational experience.

The experiments will be deployed aboard 12 satellites, ThinSat-1A through ThinSat-1L, launched as a secondary payload aboard the Cygnus CRS-11 on the Antares-230 second stage, from the Mid-Atlantic Regional Spaceport, Wallops Island, Virginia, 2019. The satellites will be inserted into Extremely Low Earth Orbit (ELEO), at 250 km apogee and 203 km perigee, on an inclination from the equator of 51.6 degrees. They are deployed from 4 canisters mounted externally on the second stage of the launcher; they unfold accordion style as they exit the canister. Transmission will begin upon deployment, and cease less than 14 days later, when de-orbiting occurs.

Multiple units of Thinsats can be grouped together by thethering with nintinol wire or nintinol ribbons with solar arrays attached. Usually three or six ThinSats will be grouped together. There are several different configurations:

• Type 1: 3 connected units (ThinSat 3T)
• Type 2: 6 connected units (ThinSat 6T)
• Type 3: 5 connected double units (ThinSat Double Plus 4T)
• Type 4: 1 sixtuple unit

The Thinsats on the Thinsat 1 mission have following configurations:

• Thinsat 1A: Type 3, 1.95 kg
• Thinsat 1B: Type 1, 1.09 kg
• Thinsat 1C: Type 2, 2.11 kg
• Thinsat 1D: Type 2, 2.20 kg
• Thinsat 1E: Type 3, 2.16 kg
• Thinsat 1F: Type 2, 2.11 kg
• Thinsat 1G: Type 1, 1.10 kg
• Thinsat 1H: Type 2, 2.11 kg
• Thinsat 1I: Type 3, 2.15 kg
• Thinsat 1J: Type 2, 2.20 kg
• Thinsat 1K: Type 1, 1.10 kg
• Thinsat 1L: Type 2, 2.14 kg

The overall goal of the ThinSat-2 mission, is to orbit small experiment payloads to advance STEM education,and promote space science research and systems engineering for grades 4 –12 and universities, from a number of states and the District of Columbia. The student teams will analyze the data collected by their experiment and submit a report detailing their findings. The students will track their experiment and receive data in near real time through the Globalstar network and the Space Data Dashboard website. Online content and resources will enhance the educational experience.

The experiments will be deployed aboard 9 satellites, ThinSat-2A through ThinSat-2I, launched as a secondary payload aboard the Cygnus CRS-15 on the Antares-230+ second stage, from the mid-Atlantic Regional Spaceport, Wallops Island, Virginia, Q1 2021. The satellites will be inserted into Low Earth Orbit (LEO), at 260 km apogee and 180km perigee, on an inclination from the equator of 51.6degrees. They are deployed from 2 Canisterized Satellite Dispensers (CSDs) mounted on the second stage of the launch vehicle. The ThinSats unfold accordion style as they exit the CSD. Transmission will begin upon deployment, and cease within about a week, when de-orbiting occurs.

The Thinsats on the Thinsat 2 mission have following configurations, consisting of a total of 30 Thinsat-modules:

• Thinsat 2A: Type x, y kg
• Thinsat 2B: Type x, y kg
• Thinsat 2C: Type x, y kg
• Thinsat 2D: Type x, y kg
• Thinsat 2E: Type x, y kg
• Thinsat 2F: Type x, y kg
• Thinsat 2G: Type x, y kg
• Thinsat 2H: Type x, y kg
• Thinsat 2I: Type x, y kg