Geoscan 3U Satellite platform

Main article: Space satellites of countries of the world

2024: Launch of satellites based on the Geoscan 3U platform

On November 5, 2024, five nanosatellites were launched from the Vostochny cosmodrome, created on the basis of the updated Geoskan 3U platform as part of the Space- π project with the support of the Innovation Assistance Fund. Small spacecraft (MKA) will be used by educational organizations to train and conduct scientific research. Geoscan announced this on November 5, 2024.

The improved Geoscan 3U platform is made in a 3U form factor with a size of 100x100x340.5 mm and a weight of 2.3 kg. It uses original design solutions that made it possible to fit all modules of service systems satellite into one unit 100x100x100 mm and free the remaining two units for a payload in the form of small-sized scientific instruments weighing up to 3.6 kg.

For the updated platform, Geoscan developed modules: a flywheel unit for active triaxial orientation in orbit, allowing, on command Lands , to quickly rotate satellites in any direction; and the COMMX electronic module, which operates in the amateur X-band of frequencies (10.45-10.5 GHz) and provides a unidirectional channel communications along the space-to-Earth line with data transfer rates up to 250 Mbps.

Also among the basic technical solutions are radiation-resistant silicon photovoltaic converters with increased efficiency and a technological camera with a resolution of 1600x1200 pixels for obtaining video stream and photos. All electronic modules are more reliable and functional than the components that were installed in the first satellite of the Geoskan-Edelweiss company.

Geoscan's platform has proven operational in previous missions. On the Geoskan-Edelweiss satellite there were the first versions of onboard system boards, which we finalized and improved based on the results of tests in orbit. At the same time, it was possible to change the design so as to increase the volume for the customer payload. We also reduced the cost of cubsats due to the experience gained and an increase in the manufacturability of production. As a result, Geoskan has the most satellites in this Space- π launch, "said Alexander Khokhlov, head of the project department of the Geoskan MKA company.

The satellites were launched into a 500 km high solar-synchronous orbit on a Soyuz-2.1b launch vehicle with a Fregat upper stage in a container of the Russian company Aerospace Capital. The organizer was Roscosmos, and its subsidiary Glavkosmos acted as the operator of the launch of the associated payload. In total, within the framework of the Space- π educational project, 16 nanosatellites created by domestic manufacturers were sent on this launch vehicle.

In the first days of the orbital flight, an open network of ground-based satellite data receiving stations "SONICS," which is developing in accordance with the instructions of the President of Russia, will help to check the operability of all MKA launches. The project covers all time zones of the country, which allows you to continuously receive telemetry from satellites, and also provides information exchange within the network in real time. Geoscan donated the stations to educational institutions throughout Russia for training in the basics of radio communications and working with satellite data.