3U CubeSat
Blue Canyon Technologies
The Blue Canyon Technologies 3U CubeSat is a reliable, high-performing, and flight-proven satellite platform, offering a turnkey solution for various space missions.
Typed specifications26 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
- 3U Class: 3U · datasheet p.1
- Orbit
- LEO datasheet p.1 GEO | lunar | deep space
- Payload volume, U
- 1.5 U available payload volume (typical) · datasheet p.1
- Onboard storage for payload data
- 4 GB onboard data storage (expansion listed only for 6U, 12U, 16U) · datasheet p.2
- Power generation (orbit average)
- 27 W solar array power; BOL/EOL and orbit average or peak not stated · datasheet p.1
- Attitude control
- 3-axis stabilised pointing accuracy given for 2 axes and 3rd axis · datasheet p.1
- Pointing accuracy
- 0.003 ° ±, 1-sigma, for 2 axes, 1 tracker · datasheet p.1 0.007 ° ±, 1-sigma, for 3rd axis
- 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
- Radio band
- S LEO downlink S-band · datasheet p.2
- Flight heritage
- Proven Heritage product page
- Satellite class
- CubeSat CubeSat summary · datasheet p.2
- Missions flown
- 18 product page
- Form factor, U (number)
- 3 U Class: 3U · 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 supplier8 lines, in the manufacturer's own wording
- Class
- 3U
- Available payload volume
- 1.5U (typical)
- Pointing accuracy
- ±0.003° (1-sigma), 2 axes, 1 Tracker
- Orbit altitude / orbit lifetime
- LEO (> 5 years), GEO (> 2 years), Deep Space (> 2 years)
- Units launched
- 18
- Units in-work
- 02
- Units delivered
- 02
- Flight heritage
- Proven Heritage
About
The Blue Canyon Technologies (BCT) 3U CubeSat, part of their XB line, is a highly accurate and flight-proven satellite platform designed for various space missions. With over 50 CubeSats launched, BCT’s XB line provides a turnkey solution. The platform offers a typical available payload volume of 1.5U and boasts a pointing accuracy of ±0.003° (1-sigma) across two axes, utilizing one tracker. It is designed for operation in Low Earth Orbit (LEO) for over 5 years, Geostationary Earth Orbit (GEO) for over 2 years, and Deep Space for over 2 years. The TROPICS mission, which utilized this 3U CubeSat platform, demonstrated that challenging missions can be accomplished with small satellites, resulting in a satellite 50 times smaller and 0.01 percent of the cost of previous weather-sensing systems. The platform has a proven heritage with 18 units launched, 2 units currently in-work, and 2 units delivered. Notable missions include CATCAT (Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Laboratory) for demonstrating sponsor payload performance in formation flying CubeSats, and CLICK A/B/C (MIT | NASA Ames Research Center) for demonstrating technological advancements in optical communication and full-duplex optical communication crosslink.
Documentation
Need the full ICD, test reports or a specific revision? Ask the supplier directly.