Abstract
The concept for a Small Satellite Transfer Vehicle is presented. This vehicle is targeted at the deployment of complex groups, constellations or formations of nano- or picosats into an orbit as a secondary payload. The concept provides the capability to deploy this secondary payload into a significantly different orbit from the primary payload on the launch, and has the capability to provide additional services such as spacecraft dispersion along an orbit. It aims to minimise the overheads associated with multiple small spacecraft that are manifested on a single launcher, and offers a number of benefits over the more typical ad-hoc launcher accommodation. The Cubesat PPOD accommodation concept is employed as it provides a suitable open standard that is well used, tested and documented. A mission scenario is introduced and analysed and the system design is described.