# Venus-100

> spacecraft bus developed by Blue Canyon Technologies

**Wikidata**: [Q137761407](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q137761407)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/venus-100

## Summary
The Venus-100 is a spacecraft bus developed by Blue Canyon Technologies, classified as a microsatellite model designed for space missions. Originating from the United States, it is capable of supporting a payload mass of 70 kilograms and is compatible with the EELV Secondary Payload Adapter (ESPA) for launch deployment.

## Key Facts
- **Manufacturer:** Blue Canyon Technologies.
- **Country of Origin:** United States.
- **Classification:** Spacecraft model; subclass of spacecraft bus and microsatellite (generally less than 100 to 200 kg).
- **Payload Capacity:** Supports a payload mass of 70 kilograms.
- **Launch Compatibility:** Complies with the EELV Secondary Payload Adapter (ESPA) standard, specifically utilizing a 15-inch interface.
- **Power System:** Powered by spacecraft solar arrays, configurable with either 1 array (222 Watts) or 2 arrays (444 Watts).
- **Aliases:** Also known as the Venus-class microsatellite and X-SAT Microsat Venus Class.
- **Category:** Belongs to the microsatellite class of miniaturized artificial satellites.

## FAQs
### Q: What type of satellite is the Venus-100?
A: The Venus-100 is a spacecraft bus classified as a microsatellite. It serves as a platform for payloads and is generally defined as a miniaturized artificial satellite with a mass less than 100 to 200 kg.

### Q: How much mass can the Venus-100 carry?
A: The Venus-100 spacecraft bus is designed to carry a payload mass of 70 kilograms.

### Q: What are the power capabilities of the Venus-100?
A: The bus is powered by spacecraft solar arrays. It can be configured with a single solar array providing 222 Watts of power or a dual-array configuration providing 444 Watts.

### Q: Is the Venus-100 compatible with rideshare launches?
A: Yes, the Venus-100 complies with the EELV Secondary Payload Adapter (ESPA) standard, featuring a 15-inch interface that allows it to fly as a secondary payload on launch vehicles.

## Why It Matters
The Venus-100 represents a significant offering in the microsatellite market by providing a robust, standardized spacecraft bus for missions requiring substantial payload capacity within a compact form factor. By supporting a 70 kg payload, it bridges the gap between smaller nanosatellites and larger small satellites, enabling more complex scientific, commercial, and defense missions without the cost of a standalone satellite platform.

Its compliance with the EELV Secondary Payload Adapter (ESPA) 15-inch standard is a critical feature, as it facilitates affordable access to space by allowing the bus to be launched as a secondary payload on larger missions. Furthermore, the flexibility of its power system—offering scalable solar array configurations (222W to 444W)—allows mission planners to tailor the spacecraft's energy capacity to specific payload requirements. As a product of Blue Canyon Technologies, a U.S.-based manufacturer, it contributes to the domestic space industrial base, providing reliable infrastructure for advanced space operations.

## Notable For
- **High Payload Capacity:** Offers a 70 kg payload capacity, which is substantial for a microsatellite class bus.
- **Scalable Power Options:** Features modular power generation with options for 222W or 444W via configurable solar arrays.
- **Rideshare Compatibility:** Designed specifically to comply with ESPA (15-inch) standards for cost-effective secondary payload launches.
- **Microsatellite Classification:** Fits within the specific "microsatellite" subset of small satellites (under 200 kg).

## Body
### Development and Classification
The Venus-100 is a spacecraft bus developed and manufactured by Blue Canyon Technologies in the United States. It is categorized as an instance of a spacecraft model and is a subclass of both the spacecraft bus and microsatellite. As a microsatellite, it falls into the category of miniaturized artificial satellites that generally weigh less than 100 to 200 kilograms. It is also referred to by the aliases "Venus-class microsatellite" and "X-SAT Microsat Venus Class."

### Technical Specifications
The bus is engineered to support a payload mass of 70 kilograms. Its structural design complies with the EELV Secondary Payload Adapter standard, utilizing a 15-inch interface, which optimizes it for rideshare opportunities on launch vehicles such as the Falcon 9 or Atlas V.

### Power Systems
The Venus-100 utilizes spacecraft solar arrays for power generation. The system is modular, allowing for two distinct configurations based on mission power needs:
- **Single Array Configuration:** Utilizes 1 solar array with a power output of 222 Watts.
- **Dual Array Configuration:** Utilizes 2 solar arrays with a combined power output of 444 Watts.

## References

1. [Source](https://www.bluecanyontech.com/wp-content/uploads/Venus-1_2025.pdf)