The JEM Small Satellite Orbital Deployer (J-SSOD) provides a novel, safe, and small satellite launching capability to the International Space Station (ISS). The J-SSOD is a unique satellite launcher, handled by the Japanese Experiment Module Remote Manipulator System (JEMRMS), which provides containment and deployment mechanisms for several individual small satellites. Once J-SSOD, including satellite install cases with small satellites, is installed on the Multi-Purpose Experiment Platform (MPEP) by crew members, it is passed through the JEM airlock for retrieval, positioning, and deployment by the JEMRMS.
Media Gallery
NASA Image: ISS033E009309 - JEM Small Satellite Orbital Deployer (J-SSOD) deploying first two CubeSat investigations from the International Space Station - WE WISH and RAIKO – Expedition 33.
NASA Image: ISS033E006452 - Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency astronaut Aki Hoshide works with the Small Satellite Orbital Deployer (SSOD) installed on the Multi-Purpose Experiment Platform (MPEP) of the extended slide table of the Kibo airlock.
NASA Image: ISS033E009286 - TechEdSat, NanoRacks CubeSat-1/F-1 and FITSAT-1 (left to right) drifting past the International Space Station solar arrays - Expedition 33.
Preflight side view of the two CubeSat carrier/deployment canisters. Image courtesy of JAXA.
NASA Image: ISS033E006413 - FITSAT-1, NanoRacks CubeSat-1/F-1 and TechEdSat shown loaded in J-SSOD (from left to right) prior to deployment during Expedition 33.
NASA Image: ISS033E006412 - CubeSat investigations RAIKO and WE WISH shown loaded in J-SSOD (from left to right) prior to deployment during Expedition 33.
NASA Image: ISS033E006416 - JEM Small Satellite Orbital Deployer (J-SSOD) attached to the JEM Airlock Slide Table – Expedition 33.
NASA Image: ISS033E009865 - JEM Small Satellite Orbital Deployer (J-SSOD) riding the JEM Airlock Slide Table through the outer airlock hatch prior to JEM RMS (Remote Manipulator System) grapple – Expedition 33.
NASA Image: ISS033E009265 - JEM Small Satellite Orbital Deployer (J-SSOD) being removed from the JEM Airlock Slide Table by the JEM RMS (Remote Manipulator System) – Expedition 33.
NASA Image: ISS033E009352 - Close up view of JEM Small Satellite Orbital Deployer (J-SSOD) in position to deploy first CubeSat investigations from the International Space Station – Expedition 33.
NASA Image: ISS033E009897 - The Japanese Experiment Module Remote Manipulator System (JEMRMS) in front of the JEM Airlock (JEMAL) during JEM Small Satellite Orbital Deployer (J-SSOD) operations.
NASA Image: ISS050E031207 - JEM Small Satellite Orbital Deployer (J-SSOD) deploying CubeSat investigations from the International Space Station – Expedition 50.
Preflight front view of the J-SSOD mechanism, highlighting the two CubeSat carrier/deployment canisters. Image courtesy of JAXA.
Preflight side view of J-SSOD mechanism, showing JEMRMS grapple fixture. Image courtesy of JAXA.
NASA Image: ISS056E130515 - Three BIRDS-2 CubeSats deploy from the International Space Station on August 10, 2018 and orbit above Earth. The trio — Maya-1 of the Philippines, BHUTAN-1 of Bhutan and UiTMSAT-1 of Malaysia, were produced under the supervision of the second generation of the Joint Global Multi-Nation BIRDS Satellite Project or BIRDS-2 Project of the Kyushu Institute of Technology in Japan.
NASA Image: ISS056E130490 - Three BIRDS-2 CubeSats deploy from the International Space Station on August 10, 2018 and orbit above Earth. The trio — Maya-1 of the Philippines, BHUTAN-1 of Bhutan and UiTMSAT-1 of Malaysia, were produced under the supervision of the second generation of the Joint Global Multi-Nation BIRDS Satellite Project or BIRDS-2 Project of the Kyushu Institute of Technology in Japan.
NASA Image: ISS056E130478 - Three BIRDS-2 CubeSats deploy from the JEM Small Satellite Orbital Deployer connected to the International Space Station. The trio — Maya-1 of the Philippines, BHUTAN-1 of Bhutan and UiTMSAT-1 of Malaysia, were produced under the supervision of the second generation of the Joint Global Multi-Nation BIRDS Satellite Project or BIRDS-2 Project of the Kyushu Institute of Technology in Japan.
NASA Image: ISS056E100586 - Three BIRDS-2 CubeSats attached to JEM Small Satellite Orbital Deployer in the Japanese Experiment Module (JEM) with the Airlock (AL) slide table retraction from Japanese Experiment Module (JPM) Side. The trio — Maya-1 of the Philippines, BHUTAN-1 of Bhutan and UiTMSAT-1 of Malaysia, were produced under the supervision of the second generation of the Joint Global Multi-Nation BIRDS Satellite Project or BIRDS-2 Project of the Kyushu Institute of Technology in Japan.
NASA Image: ISS056E100542 - Japanese Experiment Module (JEM) Airlock (AL) slide table retraction from the Japanese Experiment Module (JPM) Side with JEM Small Satellite Orbital Deployer attached. Photo taken by Expedition 56 crew.
Operations
OPERATIONAL REQUIREMENTS AND PROTOCOLS
Once the satellite install cases with prepacked small satellites are received onboard, crew members unpack and install them onto Multi-Purpose Experiment Platform (MPEP), which is already installed onto JEM Airlock (A/L) Slide Table, along with other equipment related to the J-SSOD mechanism.
After J-SSOD installation is complete, the crew commands the JEM A/L to extend J-SSOD outside for retrieval.
Next, ground operators, controlling the JEMRMS, retrieve the J-SSOD from the JEM Slide Table, and maneuver the JEMRMS to the appropriate deployment orientation.
Small satellites are commanded to deploy, and are subsequently monitored by their respective investigation teams.
J-SSOD is returned to the airlock and stowed inside the ISS JEM module.
