16U CubeSat
Blue Canyon Technologies
The 16U CubeSat is a reliable, high-performing, and flight-proven satellite bus from Blue Canyon Technologies' XB line, offering a turnkey solution for various space missions.
Typed specifications30 values
Discloses 4 of 7 fields engineers filter by in this category (category median 3).
- Data interface
- SpaceWire datasheet p.2 other 3.3 V In/Out | UART UART (3.3 V, 2.5 V LVDS, RS-422, RS-485) | LVDS UART over 2.5 V LVDS | RS-422 UART over RS-422 +1
- Design lifetime
- 2 years min · orbit lifetime, GEO/Lunar/Deep Space > 2 years · datasheet p.1 5 years min · orbit lifetime, LEO > 5 years
- Form factor
- 16U Class: 16U · datasheet p.1
- Orbit
- LEO datasheet p.1 GEO | lunar | deep space
- Payload volume, U
- 12 U available payload volume (typical) · datasheet p.1
- Regulated voltages for the payload
- 3.3 V payload power voltage (available in 6U, 12U and 16U); regulat… · datasheet p.2 5 V payload power voltage (available in 6U, 12U and 16U); regulat… | 12 V payload power voltage (available in 6U, 12U and 16U); regulat… | 28 V payload power voltage (available in 6U, 12U and 16U); regulat…
- Onboard storage for payload data
- 4 GB onboard data storage; expandable beyond for 6U, 12U, 16U by a… · datasheet p.2
- Power generation (orbit average)
- 92–108 W solar array power 92 W - 108 W; BOL/EOL and orbit average or … · datasheet p.1
- Attitude control
- 3-axis stabilised pointing accuracy given for 3 axes, 2 trackers · datasheet p.1
- Pointing accuracy
- 0.002 ° ±, 1-sigma, 3 axes, 2 trackers · datasheet p.1
- Propulsion
- optional Multiple electric and chemical propulsion systems available · datasheet p.2
- Payload data downlink rate
- 2 000 kbps S-band, LEO downlink, standard · datasheet p.2 10 000 kbps max · X-band, LEO downlink, up to
- Radio band
- S LEO downlink S-band · datasheet p.2 X LEO downlink X-band
- Satellite class
- CubeSat CubeSat summary · datasheet p.2
- Missions flown
- 2 product page
- Form factor, U (number)
- 16 U Class: 16U · datasheet p.1
Each value is typed with its unit and measurement condition and cites the datasheet page it was taken from. Nothing is guessed: a field that is absent here has not been published by the manufacturer. machine-extracted ✓ checked by NewSpace Market ✓ manufacturer confirmed by the manufacturer.
As published by the supplier7 lines, in the manufacturer's own wording
- Class
- 16U
- Available payload volume
- 12U (typical)
- Pointing accuracy
- ±0.002° (1-sigma), 3 axes, 2 Trackers
- Orbit altitude / orbit lifetime
- LEO (> 5 years), GEO (> 2 years), Deep Space (> 2 years)
- Real-world missions
- Proven Heritage
- Units launched
- 02
- Units in-work
- 02
About
The 16U CubeSat, part of Blue Canyon Technologies’ XB line, is a highly accurate, turnkey solution for space missions. With more than 60 CubeSats launched, this platform is described as reliable, high-performing, and flight-proven. It offers a typical available payload volume of 12U and boasts a pointing accuracy of ±0.002° (1-sigma) across 3 axes, utilizing 2 trackers. The CubeSat is designed for various orbits, including Low Earth Orbit (LEO) with an orbit lifetime of over 5 years, Geostationary Orbit (GEO) with over 2 years, and Deep Space missions with over 2 years. It has a proven heritage with 2 units launched and 2 units currently in-work. Notable missions include a Government CubeSat Program for intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance, where BCT provided two XB16 CubeSat buses, and POLSIR for Vanderbilt University and NASA Goddard Space Flight Center, aimed at understanding Earth’s dynamic atmosphere by studying ice clouds, for which BCT provided a payload spin mechanism, two XB16 CubeSat spacecraft, and Mission Operations.
Documentation
Need the full ICD, test reports or a specific revision? Ask the supplier directly.