Satellite bus

A satellite bus (or spacecraft bus) is the main body and structural component of a satellite or spacecraft, in which the payload and all scientific instruments are held.

Communications satellite bus and payload module

Bus-derived satellites are less customized than specially-produced satellites, but have specific equipment added to meet customer requirements, for example with specialized sensors or transponders, in order to achieve a specific mission.^[1][2][3][4]

They are commonly used for geosynchronous satellites, particularly communications satellites, but are most commonly used in spacecraft which occupy low Earth orbit missions.

Examples

Main article: Comparison of satellite buses

Diagram of the James Webb Space Telescope's spacecraft bus. The solar panel is in green and the light purple flats are radiator shades.^[5]

Some satellite bus examples include:

• Boeing DS&S 702
• Lockheed Martin Space Systems A2100
• Moog Inc. SL-OMV, Meteor, Meteorite^[6]
• Alphabus – Family of geostationary communications satellites
• INVAP ARSAT-3K
• Airbus D&S Eurostar
• ISRO's I-1K, I-2K, I-3K, I-4K, I-6K, and Indian Mini Satellite bus
• NASA Ames MCSB
• SSL 1300
• Rocket Lab Photon – Satellite bus made by Rocket Lab family
• Orbital ATK Star Bus family, inc GEOStar
• Mitsubishi Electric DS2000
• Spacecraft bus of the James Webb Space Telescope
• SPUTNIX TabletSat
• SPUTNIX OrbiCraft-Pro

Components

Main article: Spacecraft § Subsystems

A bus typically consists of the following subsystems:^[7]

• Command and data handling (C&DH) system
• Communications system and antennas
• Electrical power system (EPS)
• Propulsion
• Thermal control
• Attitude control system (ACS)
• Guidance, navigation, and control (GNC) system
• Structures and trusses
• Life support (for crewed missions).

See also

• Comparison of satellite buses
• Service module
• Satellite