CubeSats are small satellites composed of U’s. Each U of a CubeSat is approximately 100 x 100 x 113.5 mm and should weigh no more than 2 kg. CubeSats are predominantly used in Low Earth Orbit (LEO), but they have been expanded to use in interplanetary missions. Since the design, manufacturing, and launch of CubeSats are much cheaper than larger satellites (around $80,000 dollars for a 1U CubeSat as opposed to millions of dollars for a traditional satellite), a CubeSat is an attainable goal for a student-led team. CubeSats in the early 2000’s were university or research applications, but starting in the 2010’s they were expanded into the commercial sector. SATLASS aims to act as a deployment method for CubeSats. SATLASS intends to deploy up to three individual satellites to three individual orbits within a 70 kilometer range from the ISS (408.773 km). SATLASS uses cold gas thrusters to maneuver between deployment orbits. While most other deployers operate from ground to orbit, SATLASS starts and ends its mission at a parking station, where it refuels for the next mission so that it can be reused
