SpaceDev’s Small Satellite Division provides a full range of services from mission design, through satellite manufacturing and on-orbit operations. We offer a wide range of satellite sizes from Nano to Small satellites with weights ranging from 10 kg to over 250 kg. We can develop end to end mission-unique solutions or build to print from an existing design. Mission Design and Analysis 
Our satellites are enhanced by our in-house product line that gives us access to world class space rated electromechanical components and subsystems, and cutting edge deployable structures. SpaceDev’s deployable booms and structures can make our small satellites perform like large satellites. Deployable Structure-Enabled Small Sat 
We specialize in using commercial off-the-shelf (COTS) technologies in our spacecraft programs, providing high value and short development times.
Nano Satellites SpaceDev has developed Nano Satellite designs that weigh as little as 20 kg and that are able to fit into .25 m3. That's comparable to the size of a basketball. Though small in size, these are very capable systems that can be adapted to a wide variety of existing and newly emerging missions. An example of our Nano Satellite capability is the SENTRI program. Weighing in at approximately 20 kg this satellite has been developed through the PDR phase. It represents the culmination of innovative design and a very capable system that fits into a volume of .25 m3. SENTRI Nano Satellite SpaceDev's SENTRI spacecraft provides an innovative design yielding high capability per pound. SENTRI’s small size and unique design enable it perform a wide range of missions at very low cost. - Host anomaly resolution
- Proximity operations
- High resolution imager
Micro Satellites SpaceDev's CHIPSat program is an example of our MicroSatellite capability. In 2003 we successfully completed CHIPSat for the University of California at Berkeley, Space Sciences Laboratory.
We delivered the 40-kg, 3-axis stabilized small satellite bus ready to integrate with the CHIPS science instrument for under $10 million.
The design and development of the Cosmic Hot Interstellar Plasma Spectrometer (CHIPS) required SpaceDev to perform low-earth orbit science mission design, engineering manufacturing and development of the satellite. We assisted with the payload and launch integration and test, and performed mission control and operations for one year. SpaceDev’s CHIPSat Modular software elements running on the Miniature Flight Computer were built to support future small satellite missions in a plug-and-play fashion. The use of TCP/IP and standard serial protocols allowed for early interface testing over the internet with the two major system partners on the project: the ACS system from Canada, and the CHIPS payload from Virginia.
One of the most significant breakthroughs in the CHIPSat design was the miniaturized avionics, accomplished by the use of surface-mount commercial parts screened for space use, which kept the weight, volume, and cost to an absolute minimum. CHIPSat celebrated its 4th year of on orbit operations in January of 2007. It successfully fulfilled its original one-year mission and is now being used as a solar observatory.
CHIPSat Overview:
- 2-year development time, $10-15M total mission cost
- Delta II secondary payload compatible
- Final orbit 550-700 km, stable for >3 years
- Host 35 kg of CHIPS instrument and electronics mass
- 30 watts of power
- 3-axis stabilized using 4 momentum wheels, 3 torque coils, 2-axis sun sensor, magnetometer, 4 rate sensors
- Attitude knowledge and accuracy within +/-1 degree
- Real-time and/or time-tagged commanding capability
- SpaceDev Miniature Flight Computer PowerPC 750 single board computer running VxWorks® real time kernel
- SpaceDev general purpose Micro Space Vehicle Operating System
- SpaceDev general purpose mission control and operations service
- Safe Hold Protection
Small Satellites
We were awarded a five-year, cost-plus-fixed fee indefinite delivery/indefinite quantity contract in March 2004 to conduct the Distributed Sensing Experiment (DSE) for the Missile Defense Agency (MDA). The contract called for the design and construction of up to six responsive, affordable, high-performance satellites to support national missile defense for MDA. The work put into the DSE project led to the development of a generic bus design called MMB-100.
Adaptation of this bus could provide for a range of missions including imaging, signals intelligence, and communications. Future versions of this satellite family will provide progressively larger capabilities for both the bus and payload. Spacecraft Interface Design and Integration Services SpaceDev has designed payload accommodations for the emerging secondary payload market. Our systems allow multiple spacecraft to be integrated onto one launch vehicle. We can also provide satellite-to-booster integration services. Multiple Payload Accommodations 
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