NanoAvionics extends its satellite bus range enabling advanced space missions

Global mission integrator NanoAvionics has added two microsatellite buses, the MP42H and the MP42D, to its product line based on its flagship MP42 bus.

Capable to host customer payloads of up to 145 kg and a total satellite mass of up to 220 kg, the company has now one of the widest ranges of commercially available modular microsatellite buses in the industry.

Designed to significantly reduce mechanical constraints for payload integration, the satellites across the new bus range are variously ideal for more sophisticated missions in the fields of remote sensing, high data throughput and complex communications missions, emergency communications, fundamental research and as orbital transfer vehicles.

"Vytenis J. Buzas, founder and CEO of NanoAvionics, said:"More and more customers require sophisticated missions and applications which in return demand flexible buses designed and equipped to host their larger payloads while keeping cost low.

The use for advanced missions and applications is a result of their modular design and being optimised to offer flexible envelopes to host customer payloads of up to 145 kg and a total satellite mass of up to 220 kg.

The smallest bus in the range is the MP42H with an empty bus mass starting at 18 kg and a payload envelope beginning at 280 x 325 x 280 mm, accommodating payloads of up to 22 kg.

The MP42, sitting in the middle, has an empty bus mass starting at 45 kg with a payload envelope beginning at 490 x 480 x 350 mm, and capable to accommodate payloads of up to 75 kg.

At the top of the range is the MP42D with a total empty bus mass starting at 70 kg and a payload envelope starting at 740 x 730 x 500 mm, accommodating payloads of up to 145 kg.

The final satellite height of all three buses can be adjusted up to 1300 mm to accommodate larger payload requirements, required for new commercial exploration and more cost-effective research missions in LEO. The MP42D's increased payload envelope and its greater antenna width also makes it ideal for remote sensing applications.

The satellite is integrated into the Space Launch System rocket and ready to journey to the Moon as part of the uncrewed Artemis I mission, launching this year.