SATL CubeSat

This is a submission for The CubeSat Challenge

SATL is a boltless CubeSat frame construction made of only three different parts.

1. The main member, shaped as a L. This part works as the rail of the CubeSat. The part is printed of DMLS aluminium and after that hard anodized to cold welding to the p-pod. 4 of these are needed for one cube.

2. The separating beam is designed and manufactured in the same way as the L-beam. 4 of these are needed for one cube.

3. The X-web has a double function; It gives additional stiffness to the structure, and it is also locking the other parts together by acting as a spring; locking the three pins on the other parts together, thus giving a rigid and bolt-free structure. The part is printed by FDM technology of a fiber reinforced polymer matrix. Fiber orientation should be taken into account to increase tensile strength of the webs, and around the locking pins. It should be as stiff as possible, still flexible enough to bend in place. The X-web is lightweight and slim, allowing for easy access to the inside of the cube and lots of exposed surface area if solar cells are placed on the inside of the trusses. 6 of these are needed for one cube.


Current weight is 140 grams. However this can be reduced further depending on what loads the structure shall handle.

SATL is made of only three different parts, and no bolts and nuts are needed to assemble it.

Another important thing to consider when designing for additive manufacturing methods where powder layers are used, is to reduce print height, and thereby print time and material usage. None of the parts are volume demanding in more than two directions allowing the printing of multiple SATL’s in one print chamber.