Manufacturer | RSC Energia |
---|---|
Country of origin | Russia |
Applications | Communications, |
Specifications | |
Spacecraft type | LEO to GEO universal platform |
Design life |
HEO >= 7 years GEO >=12.5 years |
Dry mass | 950 kg (2,090 lb) to 1,200 kg (2,600 lb) |
Payload capacity |
HEO: 500 kg (1,100 lb) to 1,000 kg (2,200 lb) GEO 250 kg (550 lb) to 300 kg (660 lb) |
Power |
HEO up to 3000W GEO up to 2000W |
Batteries | NiH2 |
Regime | LEO, HEO and GEO |
Production | |
Status | In Prduction |
Built | 7 |
On order | 12 |
Launched | 6 |
Operational | 2 |
Retired | 1 |
Failed | 2 |
Lost | 1 |
First launch | September 06, 1999, Yamal 101 and Yamal 102 |
Last launch | November 17, 2015, Tundra L11 |
The USP, for Universal Space Platform (Russian: УКП, Универсальная Космическая Платформа), also known as Viktoria (Викториа), is a highly flexible satellite bus designed and manufactured by RSC Energia. It is called universal because it has been designed to be operated from LEO to GEO. It is a three axis stabilized platform with electric propulsion for station keeping, but chemical propellant is offered as an option. The bus can offer up to 3000 W of power and a payload capacity up to 1,000 kg (2,200 lb) for Low Earth orbit or HEO an up to 300 kg (660 lb) for geostationary orbit.
The platform is designed for direct orbital injection, and thus lacks orbit raising propulsion. It does however, support dual launching on Proton-M, which can enable cheap launching, or the use of smaller vehicles like the Soyuz-2.1b/Fregat-M or even the Dnepr for low energy orbits.
While not the most successful satellite bus, the USP is characterized by its commercial beginnings and the huge orbital flexibility.