# SmallGEO

> satellite bus manufactured by OHB

**Wikidata**: [Q48755064](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q48755064)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/smallgeo

## Summary
SmallGEO is a satellite bus model manufactured by OHB System AG, designed to support payloads in geostationary orbit. Also known by the alias LUXOR, it serves as a modular infrastructure platform for spacecraft, offering a service life of up to 15 years. The platform was developed as part of the ARTES-11 program and supports a launch weight ranging from 2,400 to 3,800 kilograms.

## Key Facts
*   **Manufacturer:** OHB System AG
*   **Country of Origin:** Germany
*   **Classification:** Spacecraft model; Subclass of spacecraft bus.
*   **Launch Mass:** Ranges between **2,400 kg** (minimum) and **3,800 kg** (maximum).
*   **Payload Capacity:** Maximum of **900 kg**.
*   **Orbit:** Geostationary orbit.
*   **Design Life:** **15 years**.
*   **Power System:** Powered by **2** spacecraft solar arrays.
*   **Program Affiliation:** Part of the **ARTES-11** program.
*   **Aliases:** Small GEO Platform, SGEO, European Platform for Small Geostationary Communication Satellites, LUXOR.
*   **Image Resource:** [View SmallGEO Image](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Special:FilePath/Small_GEO_(14235311762)_(cropped).jpg)

## FAQs
**What is the primary function of SmallGEO?**
SmallGEO is a spacecraft bus designed to provide the structural infrastructure and service module section for geostationary communication satellites. It functions as a base model on which multiple-production spacecraft can be built.

**What are the mass and payload capabilities of the SmallGEO platform?**
The platform has a launch weight criterion ranging from a minimum of 2,400 kilograms to a maximum of 3,800 kilograms. It is capable of supporting a payload mass of up to 900 kilograms.

**Who manufactures SmallGEO and where does it originate from?**
The satellite bus is manufactured by OHB System AG. It originates from Germany.

**Under which program was SmallGEO developed?**
SmallGEO was developed as a component of the ARTES-11 program.

## Why It Matters
SmallGEO represents a significant European contribution to the market for geostationary communication satellites, specifically tailored for small to medium-class missions. By providing a standardized, "off-the-shelf" spacecraft bus (service module), it allows payload providers to focus on specific instruments or communication technologies without needing to design the entire satellite infrastructure from scratch. This modular approach reduces complexity and risk in satellite development. Its design, capable of supporting substantial payloads (up to 900 kg) over a long duration (15 years), offers a competitive solution for maintaining persistent presence in geostationary orbit.

## Notable For
*   **Extended Service Life:** Features a design life of 15 years, suitable for long-term geostationary missions.
*   **Flexible Mass Configuration:** Supports a broad launch weight range (2,400–3,800 kg), allowing for versatility in mission planning.
*   **European Heritage:** Identified as the "European Platform for Small Geostationary Communication Satellites," highlighting its role in the ESA and German space landscape.
*   **Payload Capacity:** Distinguished by its ability to carry relatively large payloads (up to 900 kg) for its class.

## Body

### Overview and Classification
SmallGEO (Small GEO Platform), also referred to as **SGEO** or **LUXOR**, is a spacecraft model classified as a subclass of **spacecraft bus**. A spacecraft bus acts as the primary infrastructure of a spacecraft, providing locations for payloads—such as space experiments or instruments—and housing the service module section. This general model serves as the foundation for multiple-production spacecraft.

### Technical Specifications
The platform is engineered for robust performance in the harsh environment of space.
*   **Mass Profile:** The launch weight of the SmallGEO platform varies between **2,400 kilograms** and **3,800 kilograms**.
*   **Payload Support:** It is designed to accommodate a payload mass of up to **900 kilograms**.
*   **Power Generation:** The bus is powered by a configuration of **two** spacecraft solar arrays.
*   **Longevity:** The system is built for durability, with a design life criterion set at **15 years**.

### Mission Profile
SmallGEO is specifically designed to operate as a satellite in **geostationary orbit**. This orbit allows the satellite to maintain a fixed position relative to the Earth's surface, making it ideal for communication relay tasks.

### Development and Manufacturing
The entity is a product of **Germany**, manufactured specifically by **OHB System AG**. Its development was conducted under the auspices of the **ARTES-11** program (Advanced Research in Telecommunications Systems), which focuses on enhancing European competitiveness in the telecommunications market.

### Further Resources
Detailed technical descriptions and imagery are available through several channels:
*   **Official Descriptions:** Available on the ESA website and OHB System AG's site.
*   **Technical Documentation:** Detailed in the "OHB-System Satellite Platforms 2018 PDF."
*   **Commons Category:** Media related to SmallGEO is categorized under "SmallGEO" on Wikimedia Commons.

## References

1. [Source](https://www.ohb-system.de/files/images/mediathek/downloads/OHB-System_Satellite_Platforms_2018.pdf)