ESPAStar
Northrop Grumman Space Systems
The ESPAStar platform is a modular and cost-effective spacecraft bus that utilizes a customized EELV Secondary Payload Adapter (ESPA) ring to host technology development and operational payloads.
Key figurescomparable across the catalogue
- Mass
- 430 kg
- Payload capacity
- 1,920 kg
- Power
- 3,000 W
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
- Espastar-d dry mass
- 430-470 kg
- Espastar-d dimensions
- 157.5 cm dia x 61 cm ht
- Espastar-d delta-v
- 400-800 m/sec
- Espastar-d payload mass
- >1,920 kg
- Espastar-hp dry mass
- <900 kg
- Espastar-hp fuel capacity
- 558 kg
- Espastar-hp mission duration
- 5-7 years
- Espastar-hp payload power
- 3 kW base, up to 4 kW
- Espastar-slv payload mass
- 600 kg
- Espastar-slv delta-v
- 235 m/sec
- Espastar-lt payload power
- >25 W (EOL), 1-2 panel trickle charge
- Espastar-ep delta-v
- 2,000 m/sec
- Espastar-ep solar array power
- 6.8 kW BOL (UltraFlex-M)
- Pointing control (D/HP/EP)
- <50 μrad (1σ)
- Payload ports
- Up to 6 hosted or 12 separable payloads
About
Northrop Grumman’s ESPAStar platform provides a modular, cost-effective, and highly capable infrastructure resource for hosting technology development and operational payloads. It uses a customized EELV Secondary Payload Adapter (ESPA) ring as part of its structure, allowing it to be launched aboard any launch vehicle that meets the Evolved Expendable Launch Vehicle (EELV) standard interface specification, including Falcon 9 and Falcon Heavy. The platform features six payload ports, capable of accommodating any combination of up to six hosted and 12 separable (fly-away) payloads, with a maximum of one hosted or two separable payloads per port. The standardized payload interface at each port allows for interchangeability between hosted and separable payloads, facilitating late payload integration and manifest changes. ESPAStar leverages the available mass margin from EELV launches to offer an affordable path to space for various payloads. While optimized for Geostationary Earth Orbit (GEO) missions, the platform is also adaptable for Low Earth Orbit (LEO) and Medium Earth Orbit (MEO) missions.
Documentation
- ESPAStar-HP-datasheet.pdf PDF source: cdn.northropgrumman.com ↗
- ESPAStar-datasheet.pdf PDF source: cdn.northropgrumman.com ↗
Need the full ICD, test reports or a specific revision? Ask the supplier directly.