Hosted Payload
A secondary payload that flies as a passenger on someone else's satellite — typically a commercial bus carrying a government or partner sensor.
A hosted payload is a secondary payload that flies as a guest on a primary mission's satellite bus, drawing power and downlink from the host. Most commonly a commercial GEO comsat hosting a government instrument. The host operator earns recurring revenue; the payload customer gets to orbit faster and cheaper than buying a dedicated spacecraft.
Hosted payloads have been a quiet workhorse for government and weather sensors for years. They're getting more flexible in LEO with platform companies like Loft Orbital and D-Orbit selling 'satellite-as-a-service' that abstracts hosting entirely.
- GEO-hosted government communications payloads
- LEO-hosted defense or science instruments on commercial buses
- Tech demo flights on operational satellites