itself as the industry workhorse. While smaller units are excellent for early-stage testing, the 3U form factor offers the volume and surface area required for high-bandwidth communications, complex Earth observation payloads, and sophisticated attitude control systems.

KSF Space has revolutionized this market. As a non-profit foundation, they offer the world’s most affordable aluminum and advanced polymer frames, specifically designed to help universities, researchers, and startups reach orbit without the astronomical price tags of commercial vendors. By choosing a 3U CubeSat Structure from KSF Space, you are not just buying a frame; you are investing in a flight-proven platform engineered for the rigors of space.

What is a 3U CubeSat Structure?

A 3U CubeSat Structure is a standardized satellite frame measuring approximately 10cm x 10cm x 34cm. In the modular “U” (Unit) system, it represents three 1U cubes stacked linearly. This standard is governed by the CubeSat Design Specification (CDS), ensuring that your satellite will fit perfectly into universal deployers like the P-POD or Nanoracks dispensers.

The primary role of the structure is to protect your delicate electronics from the extreme acoustic and mechanical vibrations of a rocket launch. Beyond protection, the 3U CubeSat Structure acts as the primary thermal radiator and a Faraday cage to minimize electromagnetic interference (EMI).

Why the 3U Form Factor is the “Sweet Spot” for Space Missions

While a 1U is compact and a 6U is spacious, the 3U offers the best balance of cost-to-capability. It provides:

• Payload Volume: Enough room for a high-resolution telescope or a chemical propulsion system.

• Surface Area: Significant real estate for solar cells, allowing for higher power generation (typically 30W to 60W depending on deployment).

• Launch Availability: 3U slots are the most frequently available “rideshare” opportunities on rockets like the SpaceX Falcon 9 or Rocket Lab Electron.

KSF Space: The World’s Cheapest Aluminum and PA11 Structures

The mission of KSF Space is clear: democratization of space. By operating as a non-profit, they can provide high-quality, flight-ready hardware at a fraction of the market cost. They offer two primary materials for their 1U, 2U, and 3U CubeSat Structure models.

1. Aerospace-Grade Aluminum (6061-T6 / 7075)

Aluminum is the heritage material of the space industry. KSF Space utilizes CNC-machined aluminum that offers:

• High Thermal Conductivity: Vital for dissipating heat from high-speed processors.

• Structural Rigidity: Essential for missions requiring sub-degree pointing accuracy.

• Hard Anodized Rails: A critical requirement for NASA and ESA, preventing “cold welding” inside the deployer during the months spent waiting for launch.

2. Advanced PA11 Polymer (Multi Jet Fusion)

For teams on an ultra-tight mass budget, KSF Space provides PA11 (Polyamide 11) structures.

• 40% Lighter: This bio-sourced polymer is significantly lighter than aluminum, allowing you to allocate more mass to batteries or sensors.

• Impact Resilience: PA11 is ductile, meaning it can absorb shocks better than brittle materials.

• Vacuum Compatibility: These structures are certified for low outgassing, ensuring your optics remain clear in the vacuum of space.

Technical Specifications of the KSF Space 3U CubeSat Structure

When designing your mission, technical precision is everything. The 3U CubeSat Structure by KSF Space is engineered to meet the following high-level specifications:

• Dimensions: 100 x 100 x 340.5 mm (Standard 3U Envelope).

• Mass: Approximately 350g (Aluminum) or ~210g (PA11).

• Internal Mounting: Fully compatible with PC/104 stacks, the global standard for CubeSat PCBs.

• Environmental Tolerance: Designed for thermal cycles between -40°C and +85°C.

• Deployment Readiness: Features integrated rails and deployment switches (kill switches).

Structural Integrity and GEVS Compliance

Every 3U CubeSat Structure from KSF Space is validated through Finite Element Analysis (FEA). They are designed to survive 10G+ vibration profiles, ensuring that your mission doesn’t end before it begins. The frames follow the NASA-GSFC-STD-7000 (GEVS) guidelines, which is the gold standard for orbital qualification.