NASA Reactivates CubeSat Launch Initiative — Good News for GOLF-TEE and GOLF-1

After a period on hold, NASA's CubeSat Launch Initiative (CSLI) is back up and running — and that's welcome news for two AMSAT satellites that had been left waiting in limbo.

Jerry Buxton, N0JY, AMSAT's VP-Engineering, reports that NASA has confirmed its earlier CSLI selections will once again be honoured for both the GOLF-TEE and GOLF-1 satellites, after CSLI itself had been idled for a time.

What This Means in Practice

As Buxton explained, selection through CSLI has never guaranteed an actual launch — that's always been part of how the process works. What matters most here is that, with CSLI reactivated, AMSAT won't need to go out and secure a commercial launch instead.

For GOLF-TEE, the team has set a deadline of 15th December 2027 to be "ready for handover" to a launch mission for integration. That date gives NASA a renewed, updated target for AMSAT's desired orbit, which the agency uses to match the right launch vehicle and timing, aiming to get GOLF-TEE a ride as soon as possible after that point.

As is typical with CSLI, this means GOLF-TEE could be manifested on a launch any time after the start of the year, kicking off the launch mission process and the paperwork required to ensure the payload is safe and properly prepared ahead of actual integration.

For the same reasons, the readiness date for GOLF-1 has been renewed and updated to 15th December 2028.

Looking Further Ahead

Buxton also noted that NASA expects to release its next CSLI solicitation in 2028, with further details on eligibility, requirements, and the application process to follow closer to that release.

Good news all round for AMSAT's pipeline — and one more reason to keep an eye on when GOLF-TEE finally gets its ride to orbit.