Orbitx1s

OrbitX1s is a commercial satellite bus developed by the aerospace startup Orbit Innovations. The platform was first unveiled in 2019 and entered series production in 2021. Designed for small to midsize payloads, the OrbitX1s bus supports a range of sensors, imaging systems, and communications payloads for Earth observation, scientific research, and commercial telecommunications. Its modular architecture allows payloads to be integrated on a standardized rack layout, reducing integration time and cost.

The satellite bus is powered by a combination of solar arrays and rechargeable lithium‑ion batteries, providing up to 2.5 kilowatts of power to onboard systems. Thermal control is achieved through a passive radiative system combined with active heaters for low‑temperature missions. OrbitX1s achieves a mass of 600 kilograms at launch and is compatible with common launch vehicles such as the SpaceX Falcon 9, Rocket Lab Neutron, and ULA Atlas V. The avionics suite includes an inertial measurement unit, GPS receiver, and fault‑detecting, actuating, and recovery software to maintain vehicle health throughout the mission duration.

Since deployment, more than 25 OrbitX1s satellites have been launched, serving clients in government, academic, and commercial sectors. Notable missions include the global maritime surveillance constellation for the European Space Agency and a remote sensing line of satellites operated by a consortium of environmental research institutes. Orbit Innovations continues to refine the platform, adding extended mission capabilities such as high‑throughput data links and increased autonomy for deep‑space operations.