Lockheed Martin has named three companies for its Athena launch services. Image credit: Lockheed Martin

[Satellite TODAY 08-14-13] Lockheed Martin has chosen three companies to provide CubeSat integration for its Athena launch services. Tyvak Nano-Satellite Systems of Irvine, Calif., TriSept of Chantilly, Va., and Spaceflight. of Tukwila, Wash. will provide turnkey CubeSat integration services for multi-payload and RideShare missions using Athena launch services beginning in 2015.

CubeSats are cube-shaped satellites built to standard dimensions called Units or “U,” measuring 10x10x11 cm (approximately 4 inches), and weighing less than 1.33 kg (3 lbs) per Unit. They can range from one to six units in size. Athena deploys CubeSats in the 3U configuration using a standard Poly-Picosatellite Orbital Deployer (P-POD).

Athena can boost payloads ranging from 615 kg (280 lbs) to up to 5,900 kg (13,000 lbs) using launch sites at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, Fla. and Kodiak Launch Complex in Alaska.