LeoStella Debuts Satellite Bus With Expanded Power, Payload Capacity

LeoStella has introduced the LS300, a satellite bus for companies looking to work with the Space Development Agency.

Tim Kienberger, CEO of LeoStella, noted in an interview that the new offering has 250 kilograms of available payload space. He explained that LS300 can carry optical inter-satellite links and radio frequency downlink and uplink technology, which are two features sought by SDA for an in-development military communications network in low-Earth orbit.

LS300 is a successor to the LS200 satellite bus, which BlackSky is using for a new line of geospatial intelligence satellites. The LS300 is designed to have solar panels protruding from the spacecraft instead of covering its surface, giving it a higher power capacity.

Such enhancements are meant to expand LS300’s on-orbit processing and data storage capabilities.

An undisclosed commercial radar constellation customer has availed of two LS300s scheduled for delivery in summer 2024, SpaceNews reported.

LeoStella is based in Seattle and is a joint venture between BlackSky and Thales Alenia Space.