Blue Canyon Technologies unveils Saturn-400 satellite bus with higher payload capacity
Questions and answers:
What is the Saturn-400? The Saturn-400 is Blue Canyon Technologies’ newest spacecraft bus, designed for larger payloads and more flexible mission configurations.
How much payload can the Saturn-400 carry? It can support payloads of up to 600 kilograms depending on the launch vehicle.
What makes this spacecraft bus different from others? It is the first from Blue Canyon to offer an optional control moment gyroscope for improved stability and agility, in addition to reaction wheel options.
LAFAYETTE, Colo. - Blue Canyon Technologies, a satellite manufacturer and mission services provider in Lafayette, Colo., has introduced its latest spacecraft bus, the Saturn-400, designed to deliver greater payload capacity and mission flexibility. Blue Canyon is an RTX company.
The Saturn-400 supports payloads of up to 600 kilograms, depending on the launch vehicle, enabling customers to integrate more instruments and larger sensors for complex missions. The spacecraft is also Blue Canyon’s first to feature an optional built-in control moment gyroscope (CMG) for enhanced stability and agility.
"Our advanced control moment gyroscope technology is a key differentiator for Blue Canyon, and is now available in a turnkey spacecraft," said Chris Winslett, general manager of Blue Canyon Technologies in Lafayette, Colo. "The Saturn-400 shares commonality with many BCT products, all of which leverage the same modular software. This approach enhances efficiency and lowers program risk, enabling customers to meet mission needs more quickly and affordably."
Related: NASA selects Blue Canyon Technologies to provide microsatellites for INCUS mission
Flexible options
As an alternative to the integrated CMG, the Saturn-400 can be equipped with one of three reaction wheel options: the RW4, RW8, or the larger RW16. Reaction wheels use motor-driven flywheels to control attitude, while CMGs employ spinning rotors and motorized gimbals. Both methods provide precise, low-jitter maneuvering, giving customers flexibility based on performance and cost considerations.
The spacecraft bus also offers rideshare capability and supports higher power and volume scaling through larger solar arrays and scalable power subsystems of up to two kilowatts.
