satellite bus
The spacecraft platform that provides structural, power, thermal, attitude control, and TT&C support to a satellite's payload. Distinguished from the payload, which performs the mission function.
Full Definition
The satellite bus (also called the spacecraft bus or platform) is the structural and functional infrastructure of a satellite that supports the mission payload. It encompasses the attitude and orbit control system (AOCS), electrical power system (EPS), thermal control system, onboard data handling (OBDH), and TT&C subsystems. The bus is a standardised platform that can support different payloads — a communications payload on one mission, an Earth observation payload on another. In editorial contexts, 'bus' in this sense should not be confused with data bus (an onboard electronics communication pathway). It is hyphenated as 'satellite bus' only when used attributively in certain contexts; generally written as two words.
Usage
Usage note: Do not confuse 'bus' in 'satellite bus' with 'data bus', which refers to an electronic communication channel within the spacecraft. Context usually disambiguates, but editors should flag ambiguous usage.
In Context
- "The satellite bus was derived from an existing heritage platform, reducing development risk and cost." — Procurement specification
- "Bus anomalies during LEOP were traced to a software error in the attitude and orbit control system." — Anomaly investigation report