opsat

Opsat is a term used in the aerospace and defense industry that can denote an operational satellite or a platform intended for real-time operational support. The term does not refer to a single standardized system; its meaning varies by program and country. In some usages, opsat describes satellites or satellite buses designed for rapid deployment, resilience, and real-time data relay for military, civil, or commercial users. These satellites may perform tasks such as Earth observation, communications relay, navigation, or data uplink/downlink for command and control.

In research and industry literature, "opsat" is sometimes used as shorthand in project documentation to indicate the operationally oriented portion of a satellite payload or the set of tasks required to support ongoing operations rather than development or testing phases. The term may also appear in branding or naming for specific products, services, or small-satellite programs produced by different vendors; such usage is non-standard and context-dependent.

Because "opsat" lacks a single canonical definition, readers should consult the specific program documentation or vendor materials for precise meaning in a given instance.

Historical note: The use of similar terms reflects a broader practice of naming satellites or platforms to emphasize operational functionality, as opposed to research-oriented experimental missions.