// ORBITAL LOGISTICS AND PROPULSION TERM
Bus
In spacecraft design, the bus is the main structural body of a satellite that houses and supports all the essential subsystems, like power, propulsion, and communication, but not the specific payload.
TECHNICAL DEFINITION
The spacecraft bus is the foundational structural and functional platform of a satellite, providing common support subsystems such as power, propulsion, attitude control, thermal management, and data handling, upon which specific mission payloads are integrated.
BACKGROUND
Sierra Space Corporation is a privately held aerospace and space technologies company headquartered in Louisville, Colorado, with additional facilities in Colorado, Wisconsin, Florida, North Carolina and a testing site at the Marshall Space Flight Center in Alabama. The company makes spaceflight hardware for various applications across the industry. It is currently developing the Dream Chaser spaceplane. The spaceplane was selected by NASA to provide services to the International Space Station under NASA's Commercial Resupply Service 2 contract. The company is also in collaboration with Blue Origin to develop components of the Orbital Reef space station.
READ MORE ON WIKIPEDIASYNONYMS & ALIASES
- Platform
- Service module
- Chassis
- Core
USAGE NOTE
Many satellites are built using standardized bus designs to reduce development costs and time.
DEVELOPERS
Organizations developing technology related to Bus.
A global aerospace, defense, security, and advanced technologies company that designs and manufactures a wide range of spacecraft, including their robust satellite buses for various missions.
A leading global aerospace and defense technology company that develops and provides advanced space systems and satellite buses for national security, civil, and commercial applications.
A European leader in space technology, developing and manufacturing complete satellite systems and platforms (buses) for telecommunications, Earth observation, navigation, and science missions.
Specializes in space infrastructure and Earth intelligence, providing georeferenced imagery and satellite manufacturing, including the design and production of advanced satellite buses for various missions.
Develops spacecraft, instruments, and sensors for scientific, environmental, national security, and commercial applications, including a variety of satellite bus platforms.
A world-leading provider of small satellite platforms and mission solutions, specializing in cost-effective spacecraft buses for Earth observation, navigation, and communications.
Known for its launch services, Rocket Lab also develops and manufactures the Photon spacecraft bus, designed to host payloads for various orbital missions, providing power, propulsion, and avionics.
A leading manufacturer of small satellites, specifically focused on designing, building, and operating advanced satellite buses and complete solutions for military, civil, and commercial customers.