The A16 small satellite platform is a high-capability, modular 16U spacecraft bus engineered to support next-generation missions requiring on-orbit data processing, AI inference, and edge computing in space. Designed for performance-driven payloads, the A16 enables operators to process data directly on the spacecraft, reducing latency, downlink demands, and overall mission cost.

Built to address the growing need for space-based analytics and autonomous decision-making, the A16 combines a scalable payload volume, substantial power availability, and high-throughput communications in a compact CubeSat-class form factor. This makes the platform well-suited for Earth observation, IoT constellations, hosted payload missions, and data-intensive scientific applications.

Platform Capabilities and Key Advantages

• On-Orbit Edge Computing and AI Enablement - The A16 is architected to support AI-enabled payloads and GPU-accelerated processing, allowing missions to perform advanced analytics, feature extraction, and decision logic directly in orbit. This capability enables near-real-time insights without reliance on continuous ground-based processing.

• High-Performance On-Satellite Data Processing - With robust onboard computing resources, the platform can process large datasets before downlink, significantly minimizing raw data transmission requirements. This improves bandwidth efficiency, reduces ground infrastructure load, and accelerates access to actionable results.

• Scalable Payload Volume - The spacecraft provides a flexible 8U–10U payload envelope, with internal layouts designed to accommodate compute-heavy payloads, advanced sensors, and memory-intensive systems. The overall architecture supports expansion up to larger satellite configurations when mission requirements demand it.

• Robust Power Generation and Storage - A high-capacity power subsystem delivers up to 336 Wh of onboard energy storage paired with solar array output up to 144 W, ensuring reliable power availability for continuous processing, sensing, and communications activities.

• High-Throughput Communications - The A16 supports high-speed data downlink options up to 1 Gbps via S-band or X-band configurations, enabling efficient transmission of processed data products, mission telemetry, and time-sensitive outputs.

• Multi-Payload and Hosted Mission Support - A modular spacecraft design allows for simultaneous hosting of multiple customer payloads, making the A16 an effective solution for shared missions, technology demonstrations, and hosted payload business models.

Mission Applications

The A16 platform unlocks new operational concepts across multiple space domains:

• Earth Observation: Real-time image processing, event detection, and data prioritization directly onboard the spacecraft.

• IoT and Data Relay: Aggregation, filtering, and analytics of distributed sensor networks prior to downlink.

• Technology Demonstration: AI, autonomy, and edge-processing validation in an orbital environment.

• Commercial Hosted Payloads: Shared access to power, compute, and communications resources on a single satellite bus.

Customization and Configuration Options

Power Storage

• Configurable capacity from 168 Wh to 336 Wh

• Scalable to mission needs

• Higher-capacity options available upon request

Payload Volume

• Standard payload allocation: 8U–10U

• Expandable up to 30U total satellite volume

• Flexible internal layouts for diverse payload geometries

Telemetry, Tracking, and Command (TT&C)

• Standard: UHF / S-band (up to 4 Mbps downlink, 9 kbps uplink)

• High-rate option: S-band / X-band (up to 1 Gbps)

• Custom frequencies and data rates available

Onboard Processing (GPU-Accelerated)

• Configurable GPU architectures supporting up to 100 TOPS

• Scalable compute performance for AI and edge-processing workloads

• Integration of space-qualified, high-performance processing hardware

Additional Mission Customization

• Optional propulsion systems

• Adaptable solar panel configurations

• Mission-specific thermal control solutions

• Custom sensor and payload integration