SpaceNXT Aurora — Space-Qualified Backplane Connector Series
Smiths Interconnect - Space
Smiths Interconnect's SpaceNXT Aurora is the first COTS Plus 2mm Hard Metric backplane connector tested and qualified to ESA ESCC 3401, designed for LEO constellations: 55–125 contacts, 20 mΩ max resistance, −55 °C to +125 °C, lubricant-free hyperboloid contacts.
Technical specifications
- Connector type
- COTS Plus 2mm Hard Metric backplane connector
- Qualification standard
- ESA ESCC 3401
- Contact configurations
- 55, 110, 125 contacts (industry-standard gender)
- Termination styles
- Straight and right-angle
- Gold plating thickness
- 1.27 micron on mating surfaces
- Contact resistance (max)
- 20 mΩ (low-level)
- Insulation resistance
- >10 000 MΩ
- Nominal current per contact
- 1 A (up to 3 A rated)
- Operating temperature
- −55 °C to +125 °C
- Lubrication
- Lubricant-free (zero contamination risk)
- Target orbits
- LEO, MEO, GEO
- Approved agencies
- ESA, ISRO, JAXA, NASA
- Mission heritage
- Chandrayaan-3, Euclid Space Telescope, Europa Clipper
About
The SpaceNXT Aurora Series from Smiths Interconnect is the first COTS Plus 2mm Hard Metric backplane connector to achieve ESA ESCC 3401 qualification, providing satellite system engineers with a pre-tested, pre-qualified interconnect for data backplane applications that eliminates the per-program qualification burden typical of custom space-grade connectors. The Aurora is available in three industry-standard footprint sizes: 55, 110, and 125 contacts, offered in both straight and right-angle termination configurations. Contact mating surfaces carry 1.27 micron gold plating for fretting-corrosion resistance beyond that of standard COTS Hard Metric connectors. All contacts are lubricant-free to eliminate potential spacecraft contamination. Maximum low-level contact resistance is 20 mΩ, insulation resistance exceeds 10 000 MΩ, and nominal current capacity is 1 A (rated up to 3 A depending on configuration). The connector system operates across −55 °C to +125 °C and is designed to withstand the radiation and vacuum conditions of LEO, MEO, and GEO orbits. The Aurora forms part of Smiths Interconnect’s broader SpaceNXT portfolio — alongside the SpaceNXT Q and QT pre-qualified RF coaxial cable assembly lines — which is approved by ESA, ISRO, JAXA, and NASA and has been deployed on missions including Chandrayaan-3, Euclid, and Europa Clipper. The pre-tested and pre-qualified supply model allows customers to reduce lead times and lower cost of ownership compared to developing bespoke space-grade connectors for each new satellite program.
Documentation
No public datasheet yet — request the datasheet / ICD from the supplier.