A SmallSat Deployment from the ISS. Photo: NanoRacks

[Via Satellite 01-10-2014] Spaceflight Inc. and NanoRacks are preparing to deploy multiple CubeSats from the International Space Station (ISS). The CubeSats are currently en route to the ISS onboard Orbital Sciences’ Cygnus Orb 1 resupply mission, which launched on Jan. 9, 2014.

The satellites were manifest via the NanoRacks space act agreement with NASA, and are scheduled for deployment using the self-funded NanoRacks CubeSat Deployer. The two companies have a joint teaming agreement to find the optimal launch and orbit for payload provider customers.

“Whether you are a well-funded start up, a university, or kick starter campaign, access to space for nanosats is steadily improving with each launch and deployment,” said Adam Hadaller, mission manager at Spaceflight.

Spaceflight’s next launch is slated for April 2014 onboard the Kosmostras Dnepr launch vehicle. NanoRacks next launch is the Orb 2 mission to ISS slated for spring 2014.