Nightjar / Black Kite-1 CubeSat Platforms
Rapidtek Technologies
Rapidtek offers two CubeSat platforms, Nightjar (3U) and Black Kite-1 (8U), designed for various communication and technology validation missions in Low Earth Orbit.
Key figurescomparable across the catalogue
- Data rate
- 32 Mbps
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
- Date (Nightjar)
- Aug.2024
- Dimensions (Nightjar)
- 3U
- Orbit (Nightjar)
- SSO
- Purpose (Nightjar)
- Bi-direction Ku band communication
- Tech (nightjar) data rate
- 32 Mbps
- Tech (nightjar) user
- 〉16 users
- Date (Black Kite-1)
- Nov.2025
- Dimensions (Black Kite-1)
- 8U
- Orbit (Black Kite-1)
- SSO
- Purpose (Black Kite-1)
- Bi-dirtection Ku band communication
- Purpose (Black Kite-1) (2)
- Ka band inter-satellite link
- Purpose (Black Kite-1) (3)
- LoRa IoT validation
- Tech (Black Kite-1)
- In-house active phase array antenna
- Tech (Black Kite-1) (typ)
- Regenerative type communication
- Tech (black kite-1) high speed mode
- 〉1 Mbps per user
- Tech (black kite-1) multi-user mode
- 〉100 Users
About
Rapidtek presents two CubeSat platforms developed in collaboration with the Taiwan Space Agency (TASA): Nightjar and Black Kite-1. The Nightjar is a 3U CubeSat platform, described as cost-effective and a technology validator, scheduled for launch in August 2024. Its primary purpose is bi-directional Ku-band communication, supporting a data rate of 32 Mbps and accommodating more than 16 users.
The Black Kite-1 is an 8U CubeSat platform, characterized by high performance and high data throughput, with a planned launch in November 2025. Its mission objectives include bi-directional Ku-band communication, Ka-band inter-satellite links, and LoRa IoT validation. Key technologies integrated into Black Kite-1 include an in-house active phase array antenna and regenerative type communication. It offers a high-speed mode with over 1 Mbps per user and a multi-user mode supporting over 100 users. Both platforms are designed for Sun-Synchronous Orbit (SSO).
Documentation
No public datasheet yet — request the datasheet / ICD from the supplier.