Cyclops (Cyclops) - 09.17.14
ISS Science for Everyone
Science Objectives for Everyone
The Cyclops is a mechanism used to robotically deploy satellites from ISS and is designed to provide the ISS Program with a method to transfer internally stowed satellites to the external environment. The Cyclops mechanical interfaces are to the existing slide table located in the JEM PM Airlock and to the existing SPDM attached to the SSRMS and/or the JEM SFA. The Cyclops is designed to provide a common payload interface and to accommodate payloads up to the internal volume of the JEM Airlock Slide Table.
Science Results for Everyone
Johnson Space Center, Houston, TX, United States
Sponsoring Space Agency
National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA)
Technology Demonstration Office (TDO)
ISS Expedition Duration
March 2014 - October 2015
Previous ISS Missions
The Cyclops consists of the following major components: Deployment table with an internal capture and release mechanism, pusher plate mechanism to eject a satellite away from ISS, a grapple fixture interface to robotic utilities, a cone receptacle that interfaces to the JEM PM Slide Table, and passive retention hooks. Cyclops fills the payload deployment gap between small cubesat launchers and major payloads enabling a whole new range of payload possibilities.
- Crew attachesCyclopsto JEM Airlock Slide Table via clamping slide table mechanism.
- Crew attaches payload to Cyclops and sets pusher mechanism
- Cyclops and payload are processed through JEM Airlock
- Robotic Arm grapples Cyclops w/attached payload
- JEM Airlock slide table mechanism unclamps Cyclops w/attached payload
- Robotic Arm positions Cyclops w/attached payload to deployment position
- Robotic Arm actuates internal mechanisms for deployment
- Payload is deployed perpendicular to Cyclops
- Cyclops placed back inside ISS (and stowed for future deployments) via Robotic arm and JEM Airlock
Ground Based Results Publications