What is a Satellite Bus/Platform?

Satellite Bus/Platform is the main structural component of the satellite that holds all the scientific equipment and other payloads that are necessary for the functioning of the satellite. The capability of a satellite bus relates to its ability to accommodate different payloads and also to meet mission requirements. The satellite bus houses the necessary scientific equipment and it is designed specifically to carry them safely into space.

Satellite bus mainly consists of the following subsystems:

• Electrical Power Subsystem – The electrical power system is used to provide electrical power to different subsystems of the satellite by harvesting the solar power from the sunlight through the solar panels.
• Attitude Control Subsystem – The ACS is used to maintain the orientation of the satellite and helps in station keeping of the satellite and also keeps the antennas of the satellite pointed in the right direction for communication and provides the pointing to the area on the sky that the Science Instruments want to observe.
• Communication Subsystem – The communication system receives commands from the control station as well as transmits science data and status information.
• Command and Data Handling (C&DH) Subsystem – This system consists of a computer processor which handles all the commands received as well as stores data from the various source in the satellite.
• Propulsion Subsystem – The propulsion system consists of fuel tanks and thrusters which are controlled by the ACS. The different thrusters in the satellite are fired as directed by the ACS.
• Thermal Control Subsystem – The thermal control system is used to control the operating temperature of the satellite bus.