Preliminary Design of a Re-Configurable Transforming 12U CubeSat for Radar Operations
Document Type
Conference Proceeding
Publication Date
1-8-2026
Abstract
This paper investigates the design and potential mission applications of transforming CubeSats, focusing on a 12U platform capable of reconfiguring or expanding once the spacecraft is deployed in orbit. The motivation stems from the physical constraints imposed by the standardized CubeSat architecture, particularly with respect to internal volume and available surface area. Through the analysis of mission requirements, evaluation of deployable structures, and preliminary structural and power sizing, this paper presents a framework for enhancing CubeSat functionality for radar operations without compromising launch constraints. The investigation indicates that transforming CubeSats can enable a new class of missions requiring larger payloads, more extensive instrumentation, and adaptive geometric configurations, thus overcoming key limitations faced by traditional CubeSat designs.
Source Publication
AIAA SCITECH 2026 Forum
Recommended Citation
Pablo A. Figueroa Toledo and Robert A. Bettinger. "Preliminary Design of a Re-Configurable Transforming 12U CubeSat for Radar Operations," AIAA 2026-0413. AIAA SCITECH 2026 Forum. January 2026.
Comments
The full conference paper is accessible by subscription or purchase from AIAA using the DOI link below.
Conference Session: Spacecraft Structures Test, Analysis, and Correlation