Nova Satellite Bus
Apex
High-power 300 kg satellite bus with 1 kW payload power, 300 kg payload capacity, and precision pointing for proliferated communications and sensing constellations. First flight 2026.
Key figurescomparable across the catalogue
- Payload capacity
- 300 kg
Normalised to common units so this product can be compared with others in its category. The supplier's own wording is below.
As published by the supplier
- Bus Dry Mass
- 300 kg
- Payload Mass
- up to 300 kg
- Payload Volume
- 965 u00d7 1185 u00d7 1000 mm (SpaceX XL Rideshare)
- Payload Power (OAP EOL 7yr)
- 1 kW
- Bus Voltage
- 28 V unregulated
- Pointing Knowledge
- <25 arcsec @ 3u03c3
- Pointing Control
- <50 arcsec @ 3u03c3
- Position Accuracy
- 10 m
- Velocity Accuracy
- 0.03 m/s
- Time Accuracy
- 30 ns RMS
- Propulsion
- HET Electric, up to 650 m/s delta-V
- TT&C
- S-band, up to 125 kbps
- Mission Downlink
- X-band, up to 350 Mbps (optional)
- Nominal Orbit
- 500u20131100 km circular, 45u00b0u2013135u00b0 inclinations
- Design Life
- 7 years @ 1100 km
- First Flight
- 2026 (planned)
- Launch
- SpaceX Falcon 9, NSSL
About
The Apex Nova is a high-performance satellite bus designed for demanding missions requiring large payload mass and power. With a 300 kg dry mass and up to 300 kg payload capacity, the Nova targets proliferated LEO communications, high-altitude sensing, missile warning & tracking, and other power-intensive missions.
The Nova provides 1 kW orbital average power (OAP EOL, 7-year mission) to payloads, enabling high-data-rate sensors, large phased arrays, and intensive signal processing payloads. Precision GNC delivers <25 arcsec pointing knowledge and <50 arcsec pointing control at 3σ.
An integrated high-efficiency Hall Effect Thruster (HET) provides up to 650 m/s delta-V for orbit maintenance, constellation phasing, and end-of-life disposal. Communications include S-band TT&C and optional X-band mission links at 350 Mbps.
The Nova fits in the SpaceX Rideshare XL envelope (965 × 1,185 × 1,000 mm), enabling cost-effective access to orbit. First flight planned for 2026.
Documentation
No public datasheet yet — request the datasheet / ICD from the supplier.