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NEXTAR (from NEC Next Generation Star) is a Low Earth orbit Earth observation satellite bus designed and manufactured by NEC Space Systems of Japan.[1][2] This three axis stabilized platform has a bus dry mass of 250 kg (550 lb), it can carry payloads up to 250 kg (550 lb) and 600 W. It uses tri-junction GaAs has an expected life between 3 and 5 years.[1]
| Manufacturer | NEC Space Systems |
|---|---|
| Country of origin | Japan |
| Applications | Earth observation |
| Specifications | |
| Spacecraft type | Earth observation |
| Dry mass | 250 kg (550 lb) |
| Payload capacity | up to 250 kg (550 lb) |
| Dimensions | 950 mm × 950 mm × 950 mm (37 in × 37 in × 37 in) (W×D×H) |
| Power | Up to 600 W |
| Batteries | Li-ion |
| Regime | Low Earth orbit |
| Design life | 3 to 5 years |
| Production | |
| Status | In Production |
Its telemetry and control subsystem includes S band and X band channels.[1]
As of 2014, there are three different models of the NEXTAR standardized platform. All feature a common core of features like using the SpaceWire communications protocol, the SpaceCube2 on-board computer and autonomous control functions. The different models are:[3]
- NX-300L: Low Earth orbit platform for small observation satellites in the 300 to 500 kg (660 to 1,100 lb) range. It was born out of the ASNARO 1 work and is used mainly for Earth observation applications.[3][4]
- NX-1500L: Low Earth orbit platform for medium observation satellites in the 1,000 to 1,500 kg (2,200 to 3,300 lb) range. It began with the work on GCOM-W and is used mainly for Earth observation applications.[3][4]
- NX-G: Geosynchronous orbit platform for small communication satellites in the 1.5 to 3 t (1.7 to 3.3 tons) range. Based on the work of the WINDS satellite, it will be used mainly for communications applications.[3][4]
Satellites using the NEXTAR platform.[1]
- DS2000 - Mitsubishi Electric's standard satellite bus
- Star Bus – Another comparable satellite bus made by Orbital ATK.
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