Satellite Bus
The base spacecraft platform — power, propulsion, attitude control, comms — onto which mission payloads bolt.
A satellite bus is the standardized spacecraft platform that hosts a mission payload. It provides power, propulsion, structure, thermal control, command and data handling, attitude determination and control, and communications. The payload — camera, radar, transponder — bolts on top.
Bus manufacturers have become the picks-and-shovels layer of modern space. Buying a flight-proven bus from a company like Astranis, Apex, or Loft Orbital cuts years off a constellation timeline. Most new entrants buy buses rather than build them.
- Constellation builders sourcing a common platform
- Defense missions on commercial buses (hosted payloads)
- Rapid-response missions reusing flight-proven hardware
NOVI Unveils GENIE(TM) - a Platform and Satellite Constellation That Redefines the Cost, Latency, and Accessibility of Earth Observation
Muon Space Unveils New, Larger Satellite Bus
Condor-Ultra is three times larger than its Condor-XL satellite bus, and geared toward the nascent orbital-data-center market. The post Muon Space Unveils New, Larger Satellite Bus appeared first on Payload.
Muon Space unveils Starship-class satellite platform for orbital data centers
Muon Space announced a Starship-class satellite platform June 3 designed from the ground up to meet the demands of the emerging orbital data center market, with an initial launch slated for 2028 after securing customers. The post Muon Space unveils Starship-class satellite platform for orbital data centers appeared first on SpaceNews.
Moon Business – New Acquisition at Voyager Technologies
Voyager Technologies has signed an agreement to acquire Astrobotic Technology, Inc., the Pittsburgh-based commercial lunar delivery, lunar power and reusable rockets firm. “We are building the infrastructure foundation that will make America’s permanent presence on the Moon a reality,” said Dylan Taylor, Chairman & CEO, Voyager. “With Astrobotic, Voyager is now a lunar platform that […]
Impulse Space Closes $500M Series D
“Often in a fundraise like this, there’s some narrative of, ‘Okay, well, now we move into this new line of business, or now we go build the factory in Ohio,’” President and COO Eric Romo told Payload. “There’s none of that here. This is really about, ‘We need more of the same. We need to continue on the same trajectory we’re on.’” The post Impulse Space Closes $500M Series D appeared first on Payload.
Northrop Grumman partners with Apex on space-based interceptors for Golden Dome
The Los Angeles-based startup manufactures standardized satellite buses designed to be produced more quickly and at lower cost than traditional government spacecraft The post Northrop Grumman partners with Apex on space-based interceptors for Golden Dome appeared first on SpaceNews.
China launches test direct-to-device satellites for multiple projects
China capped a busy month of launches by sending four new satellite internet test satellites into orbit with a workhorse hypergolic rocket. The post China launches test direct-to-device satellites for multiple projects appeared first on SpaceNews.