KRAKEN
VLEO Satellite Bus
The Kraken satellite bus is designed to meet the unique challenges of commercial rideshare missions in very low Earth orbit (VLEO). It optimizes key factors such as ballistic coefficient, durability in thin-atmosphere environments, and rideshare constraints, providing customers with a highly resilient and versatile platform for a variety of applications.
Kraken features innovative power systems, advanced coatings, and flexible RF modulation schemes to deliver robust performance in VLEO’s demanding conditions. Its Northstar avionics package enables rapid mission deployment and supports both fully autonomous operations and human-in-the-loop command and control.
GENERAL INFORMATION | |
Satellite name | Orion Kraken VLEO |
Mission type | Small SWaP – Scientific/ Dual Use |
Launch date | 2026 |
PHYSICAL CHARACTERISTICS | |
Size (WxHxL) | 39.5 cm x 33 cm x 130 cm |
Mass | 85kg |
Design life | 1 year VLEO 3 years LEO |
ORBITAL PARAMETERS | |
Orbit type | LEO (launch) VLEO (mission) |
Altitude | >200 km |
Inclination | 0 – 90 deg |
PAYLOAD | |
Primary payload | 20 cm x 25 cm x 10 cm |
Payload mass | 20 kg |
Data transmission rate | > 800 Mb/s |
POWER AND ENERGY | |
Power generation | 3.3v, 5v, 12v, 16v |
OAP | >175W |
Battery capacity | 600 Wh (6 batteries) |
Thruster type | Electric |
COMMUNICATION | |
Frequency bands | S-band, X-band, Iridium |
Downlink rate | X-band > 340 Mbits/s |
ATTITUDE AND PROPULSION SYSTEMS | |
Attitude control | Reaction wheels; magnetorquers |
Pointing accuracy | ± 7 arcsec for 3 axes |
Propulsion system | Electric |
GROUND SEGMENT | |
Ground stations | S-band, X-band, Iridium |
Mission control software | Orion custom software + operations support |