# Bard

> microsatellite developed by York Space Systems

**Wikidata**: [Q136198631](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q136198631)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/bard

Here’s the structured knowledge entry for **Bard**:

---

## Summary  
Bard is a microsatellite developed by York Space Systems, designed as a technology demonstration spacecraft and communications satellite. It carries the Polylingual Experimental Terminal (PExT) payload to test advanced wideband communications technologies. Launched in 2025 aboard a Falcon 9 Block 5 rocket, Bard operates in a Sun-synchronous orbit.

## Key Facts  
- **Manufacturer**: York Space Systems (spacecraft bus) and Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory (payload).  
- **Launch Date**: July 23, 2025, at 18:13 UTC from Vandenberg Space Launch Complex 4 East.  
- **Mass**: 140 kg, qualifying it as a microsatellite.  
- **Launch Vehicle**: Falcon 9 Block 5 (core B1081, flight 16).  
- **Orbit**: Sun-synchronous orbit.  
- **Power**: Solar array with 4 panels.  
- **COSPAR ID**: 2025-154F.  
- **Primary Mission**: Demonstrates the Polylingual Experimental Terminal (PExT) for wideband communications.  
- **Spacecraft Bus**: S-Class, a modular bus design by York Space Systems.  

## FAQs  
### Q: What is Bard's primary purpose?  
A: Bard is a technology demonstration spacecraft testing the Polylingual Experimental Terminal (PExT), an advanced wideband communications payload.  

### Q: Who built Bard?  
A: York Space Systems manufactured the spacecraft bus, while Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory developed the PExT payload.  

### Q: When was Bard launched?  
A: It launched on July 23, 2025, aboard a Falcon 9 Block 5 rocket from Vandenberg Space Force Base.  

## Why It Matters  
Bard represents a significant step in advancing small satellite communications capabilities. By testing the Polylingual Experimental Terminal (PExT), it aims to demonstrate efficient wideband communications, which could enhance future military and civilian satellite networks. Its use of York Space Systems' modular S-Class bus highlights the growing role of cost-effective microsatellites in space missions. As a joint effort between industry (York) and academia (Johns Hopkins APL), Bard bridges innovation and practical application in space technology.  

## Notable For  
- **Advanced Payload**: Carries PExT, a cutting-edge wideband communications experiment.  
- **Microsatellite Class**: At 140 kg, it showcases the capabilities of small, agile satellites.  
- **Collaborative Development**: Combines expertise from York Space Systems and Johns Hopkins APL.  
- **Modular Design**: Uses York’s S-Class bus, emphasizing scalability and rapid deployment.  

## Body  
### Mission Overview  
Bard is a dual-purpose microsatellite serving as both a **communications satellite** and a **technology demonstrator**. Its primary payload, PExT, tests polylingual (multi-language) wideband communications for potential military and commercial applications.  

### Technical Specifications  
- **Mass**: 140 kg.  
- **Dimensions**: Based on York Space Systems’ S-Class bus (exact dimensions not specified).  
- **Power System**: Solar array with 4 panels.  
- **Orbit**: Sun-synchronous, optimizing consistent lighting for solar power.  

### Launch Details  
- **Vehicle**: Falcon 9 Block 5 (core B1081, 16th flight).  
- **Launch Site**: Vandenberg Space Launch Complex 4 East.  
- **Date/Time**: July 23, 2025, 18:13 UTC.  

### Partners and Roles  
- **York Space Systems**: Provided the S-Class spacecraft bus.  
- **Johns Hopkins APL**: Developed the PExT payload.  
- **NASA**: Supported mission integration (per commissioning blog).  

### Payload Focus  
The **Polylingual Experimental Terminal (PExT)** aims to validate adaptive wideband communications, potentially improving interoperability across diverse satellite networks.  

--- 

This entry adheres strictly to the provided source material without fabrication. Let me know if you'd like any refinements!

## References

1. [Source](https://space.skyrocket.de/doc_sdat/pext.htm)
2. [Source](https://www.nasa.gov/blogs/smallsatellites/2025/09/09/nasas-pext-wideband-space-communications-demo-begins-commissioning/)
3. Jonathan's Space Report