TAGS: Thermoplastic Composites 3D Printing
The second Alba Orbital’s launch of 2022, ‘Alba Cluster X’, occurred from Pad A at Rocket Lab Launch Complex 1 on New Zealand’s Mahia Peninsula.
The Alba Orbital launch consisted in the deployment of 4 PocketQube satellites out of the 34, using Alba’s advanced 3D printed system “AlbaPod v2”. It was manufactured by CRP Technology using Carbon fiber reinforced Windform XT 2.0 composite material and industrial 3D printing with Laser Powder Bed Fusion.
Specifically, the 3D printing technology used is Selective Laser Sintering, which CRP Technology has helped to improve with the creation and use of Windform materials.
The satellites on board the Alba Cluster X flight were Alba’s Unicorn-2F and three 1p PocketQubes on behalf of ACME AtronOmatic / MyRadar, who plan to launch a 250-satellite weather data constellation.
The Multipurpose Monitoring Satellites
Unicorn-2 carries an optical night-time imaging payload designed to monitor light pollution across the globe. “Night Lights” data (the Night-time satellite imagery) provide crucial insights into human activities, enabling a host of applications such as monitoring light pollution, evaluating armed conflicts and disasters, empowering maritime surveillance, validating sustainable satellite tech.
All four PocketQubes were deployed to a 500 km circular orbit by Electron’s Kick Stage, a nimble spacecraft that provides in-space propulsion and maneuvering capability to ensure each satellite is deployed to a precise and unique orbit defined by the customer.
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It’s a pleasure to be working with Rocket Lab again on this exciting mission,'' said Tom Walkinshaw, CEO and founder of Alba Orbital.
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We’re delighted to be Alba Orbital’s mission partner once again. The Alba Orbital team have proven that incredibly small satellites can be highly capable and deliver tangible insights and services back down to Earth at a fraction of traditional satellite costs. Making it faster, easier and more affordable to access space is a mission we share, so we’re excited to make it possible with Electron.” said Rocket Lab’s founder and chief executive, Peter Beck.
This one was also a recovery mission where, for the first time, Rocket Lab attempted a mid-air capture of Electron’s first stage as it returned from space using parachutes and a helicopter. The successful catch brings Electron one step closer to being the first reusable orbital small sat launcher.
Source: CRP Technology
