A compact, dual-channel thermal knife release mechanism for CubeSats and small satellites. Each kit has a Flight Model and a break-away Engineering Model on one panel. You can power, trigger and verify releases on the bench, then separate the Flight Model for integration.
Burnwing Release Kit
The Burnwing cuts a Dyneema hold-down line to release deployables: solar panels, antennas, sensors, booms and hatches. It has two independent burn channels for redundancy. Both are switched on the high side, so the burn elements stay unenergised until commanded. Pull-downs on the control inputs mean a floating line cannot fire a channel.
Rev3 is a refined Burnwing design. It combines the former Flight and Engineering Models on a single panel joined by mouse bites. The Engineering Model negotiates its supply over USB-C Power Delivery, with test switches and LED indicators for bench work.
Redundant burn channels with independent control
High-side switching: burn elements unenergised until triggered
3.3 V or 5 V logic control inputs, held off by on-board pull-downs
Reversible 6-pin pinout that accepts unmodified COTS Molex harnesses
Overcurrent, over-temperature, reverse-polarity and ESD protection
Break-away Engineering Model with USB-C Power Delivery, test switches and LEDs
PicoBlade or Pico-Lock gold-plated 6-pin connectors
Surface-mount or through-hole pulse-withstanding burn resistors
5 V or 12 V operation
Required power: 5.3 W
Release time: 10 s (1 mm Dyneema line, in atmosphere)
Burn resistor cycle life: 50 × 10 s
Supply voltage: 5.0 to 15.0 V
Control input voltage: 3.3 or 5.0 V
Panel dimensions: 68.8 × 22.9 × 6.5 mm
Flight Model dimensions: 23.4 × 22.9 × 4.1 mm (resistor leads add 1.40 mm below the board)
Panel mass: 8 g
Flight Model mass: 3 g
Operating temperature: −40 to +85 °C
1 × Burnwing Rev3 panel (Engineering Model + Flight Model) in an ESD bag. The Flight Model has burn resistors fitted for the voltage you choose.
1 × Molex 6-way cable, 300 mm (Pico-Lock [15132-0603] or PicoBlade, matching your connector choice)
1 × spool of UHMWPE (Dyneema) hold-down line
Spare burn resistors: 2 × 4.7 Ω (5 V) and 2 × 36 Ω (12 V)
1 × hardware set: brass standoffs, M2 screws, nuts and springs
1 × hard storage case with foam insert
Optional: 45 W USB-C charger with USB-C to USB-C cable (North American plug)
Optional spares pack: a second cable, Dyneema spool, hardware set and spare resistors
Each kit is built to order and ships within 2–4 weeks. Choose Priority build to ship within 5 business days. Shipping is free within Canada, $25 USD to the United States and $60 USD to everywhere else. Import duties and taxes are the buyer's responsibility. Ordering 5 or more kits for a class or team? You get 10% off automatically.
Kits that arrive dead on arrival are replaced free within 30 days of delivery. Assembly defects are covered for 90 days. Burn resistors are consumables and are not covered. The warranty also excludes damage from misuse, such as running 4.7 Ω elements at 12 V. Contact info@cubesource.space before returning anything.