# EXOpod AIR
*launcher . launch services*

Lightweight CubeSat deployer variant in 8U, 12U, 12UXL, and 16U AIR sizes for small-launcher, OTV, and mass-constrained missions.

## Specifications
- **manufacturer**: exolaunch
- **deployment context**: orbital
- **entity type**: launch_service
- **last verified date**: 2026-05-28
- **verified by**: operator
- **claim status**: unclaimed
- **subtype**: deployer
- **provider**: exolaunch
- **attributes**: {"kind":"launcher","product_status":null,"manufacturer":"exolaunch","description":"Lightweight CubeSat deployer variant in 8U, 12U, 12UXL, and 16U AIR sizes for small-launcher, OTV, and mass-constrained missions.","sensor":null,"bus":null,"ground_segment":null,"launcher":null,"analysis_service":null,"deployment_context":"orbital"}

## Editorial
EXOpod AIR is Exolaunch's CubeSat deployer family designed for mass-constrained missions, small launch vehicles, and orbital transfer vehicles. The family covers 8U, 12U, 12UXL, and 16U configurations, each accommodating CubeSat combinations from 0.25U to 16U.[^exopod-air-brochure]

Detailed public documentation is available for the 12UXL AIR configuration. That variant uses a rear-plate-mounted S4 arrangement with four 3U XL slots and no access windows. Exolaunch's user manual gives a mass of 8.63 kg +/-5% for the no-window 12U XL S4 RPM configuration.[^exopod-air-user-manual] The same manual specifies expected tip-off rates below 10 degrees per second and a separation half-cone angle of +/-7.5 degrees.[^exopod-air-user-manual]

First flight is currently planned for H2 2026 (revised from an earlier H1 2026 target).[^exopod-air-brochure][^exopod-air-page] Mechanical and electrical specifications for the 8U, 12U, and 16U AIR configurations are not available in the current public documentation set.

## Sources
- [exopod-air-user-manual] | EXOpod AIR 12UXL User Manual, Revision 1.0 | https://exolaunch.com/documents/EXOpod_AIR_12UXL_User_Manual_March_2026.pdf | tier=operator-datasheet | accessed=2026-05-28 | published=2026-03-01
  Official Exolaunch user manual; covers 12UXL AIR configuration, interfaces, mass properties, deployment envelope, and qualification data.
- [exopod-air-brochure] | EXOpod AIR brochure | https://exolaunch.com/documents/15_10_25_EXOpod_AIR_Brochure.pdf | tier=operator-datasheet | accessed=2026-05-28 | published=2025-10-15
  Official Exolaunch brochure; covers AIR family positioning, supported sizes, heritage, and low-mass claim.
- [exopod-air-page] | EXOpod AIR product page | https://exolaunch.com/exopod_air.html | tier=operator-marketing | accessed=2026-05-28
  Official product page cross-check for public positioning and H2 2026 flight-heritage statement.

---
Source: https://eo-atlas.org/launch_services/exopod-air
Maintainer: SpectraWorks B.V. (CC-BY 4.0)