| 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 |
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]
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]
Satellites using the NEXTAR platform.[1]