Orbitx2

Orbitx2 is a modular, open-standard small satellite platform developed to enable rapid payload integration and flexible mission configurations for low Earth orbit operations. Introduced by NebulaTech in the late 2020s as the successor to the Orbitx family, Orbitx2 aims to simplify satellite assembly, testing, and deployment by providing swappable bus and payload modules and standardized interfaces.

The platform uses a bus with a common mechanical and electrical backbone, allowing different payload envelopes to be attached without redesign. It supports multiple deployment options and a scalable power budget, with on-board computers and avionics designed for autonomous operation, health monitoring, and fault tolerance. Attitude determination and control rely on a combination of star trackers, sun sensors, reaction wheels, and magnetorquers.

Orbitx2 includes an optional electric propulsion module for orbit maintenance and deorbiting, using krypton or xenon ion thrusters and a simple propellant management system. Communications support S-band for command and control and X-band for high-rate downlink; on-board data handling emphasizes compression and storage for onboard processing and downlink efficiency.

The architecture was designed to support mass production for satellite constellations, with emphasis on standardized test procedures and shared flight software. As of the early 2030s, prototype demonstrations and early customer missions were planned to validate interoperability and reliability across a range of mission profiles.

Orbitx2 targets Earth observation, communications relay, and scientific missions. Proponents highlight reduced lead times, lower integration risk, and the ability to reconfigure missions by swapping modules, while observers note continued competition in the small-satellite market and the need for robust standardized interfaces.