SpaceBEE

SpaceBEE, formerly known as BEEs (Basic Electronic Elements), are picosatellites built to the 0.25U CubeSat form factor. They are designed to demonstrate two-way satellite communications and data relay for Swarm Technologies, Inc. Nine of them have been launched in 2018,[1] 36 of them in 2020 and 24 more[2] are planned to be launched in January 2021.[3]

SpaceBEE
Mission typeTechnology demonstration
Spacecraft properties
Spacecraft typeCubeSat
BusCubeSat (0.25U)
Dimensions10 cm x 10 cm x 2.5 cm
Orbital parameters
Reference systemGeocentric orbit
RegimeSun-synchronous orbit
 

Satellite constellation
  • SpaceBEE are a constellation of picosatellites (CubeSat 0.25U form factor) intended to reach a quantity of 150 satellites.[4]
SpaceBee launches
Flight No. Mission COSPAR ID Date and time (UTC) Launch site Launch vehicle Orbit altitude Inclination Number
deployed		 Deorbited Outcome
1 SpaceBEE 1-4 2018-004 12 January 2018, 03:59:00 [5] Satish Dhawan Space Centre, FLP PSLV-XL, (PSLV-C40) 520 km (320 mi) 97.6° 4 Success
Four experimental satellites SpaceBEE, built to the 0.25U CubeSat are to demonstrate two-way satellite communications and data relay for Swarm Technologies Inc.[5]
2 SpaceBEE 5-7 2018-099 3 December 2018, 18:34:05 [6] Vandenberg, SLC-4E Falcon 9 B5, B1046.3 580 km (360 mi) 97.8° 3 Success
Three experimental satellites SpaceBEE.[5]
3 SpaceBEE 8-9 2019-037 29 June 2019, 04:30:00 [7] Mahia, LC-1A Electron 460 km (290 mi) 45.0° 2 Success
Two experimental satellites SpaceBEE.[5]
4 SpaceBEE 10-21 2020-061 3 September 2020, 01:51:10 [8] Kourou, ELV Vega 535 km (332 mi) 97.5° 12 Success
Twelve commercial satellites SpaceBEE.[5]
5 SpaceBEE 22-39
SpaceBEE NZ-1 to -6		 2020-085 20 November 2020, 02:20:01 [9] Mahia, LC-1A Electron 520 km (320 mi) 97.4° 24 Success
Eighteen commercial satellites SpaceBEE and 6 commercial satellites SpaceBEE NZ-1 to NZ-6.[5]

SpaceBEE (1-4)

SpaceBEE 1 to 4 (4 experimental satellites) were test models were launched on 12 January 2018 on a Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV-XL) launch vehicle.[10]

The four SpaceBEE, formerly known as BEEs (Basic Electronic Elements), picosatellites, built to the 0.25U CubeSat form factor are to demonstrate two-way satellite communications and data relay for Swarm Technologies, Inc. The mission is to test the world's smallest two-way communications satellites to serve as a cost-effective low-data rate Internet of things (IOT) network connectivity solution for remote and mobile sensors. The initial experimental space deployment consists of four satellites, each with a 0.25U form factor employing radar signature enhancement technology, which enables them to be passively tracked, and using Very high frequency (VHF) band frequencies for communications. There will also be an experimental deployment of ground stations for communications with the space units. The mission is to demonstrate the capabilities of these picosatellites for serving low data rate communication relays for remote sensors and data collectors. Experimental operations is scheduled to begin upon launch for a period of at least 6 months and up to 2 years. The tiny satellites have very small radar cross section, which might complicate the tracking. Therefore, they featured a Global Positioning System (GPS) device in each satellite that would broadcast its position on request. Also the four smallest faces of the satellites are covered with an experimental passive radar reflector developed by the U.S. Navy's Space and Naval Warfare Systems Command, which according to the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) application would increase the satellites radar profile by a factor of 10.[5]

SpaceBEE (5-7)

SpaceBEE 5 to 7 (3 experimental satellites) were test models were launched on 3 December 2018 by a Falcon 9 Full Thrust.[6]

SpaceBEE (8-9)

SpaceBEE 8 and 9 (2 experimental satellites) were test models were launched on 29 June 2019 by an Electron.[6]

SpaceBEE (10-21)

SpaceBEE 10 to 21 (12 commercial satellites) were launched by Vega launch vehicle on 3 September 2020 (UTC).[4]

SpaceBEE (22-39) and SpaceBEE NZ (1-6)

SpaceBEE 22 to 39 (18 commercial satellites) and SpaceBEE NZ (SpaceBEE New Zealand) 1 to 6 (6 commercial satellites) were launched by Electron on 20 November 2020.[4]

SpaceBEE (40-75)

36 more commercial satellites were launched on SpaceX's Transporter-1 rideshare mission on 24 January 2021 by a Falcon 9 B5.[11]

References
  1. Gunter's Space Page
  2. "Swarm works with Exolaunch to fly 24 SpaceBees on SpaceX Falcon 9". SpaceNews. 3 August 2020.
  3. "Transporter-1 | Falcon 9 Block 5". Retrieved 21 January 2021.
  4. Gunter space page SpaceBEE 10to180
  5. "Display: SpaceBEE-1 NSSDCA ID: SPACEBEE1 COSPAR ID: 2018-004AH". NASA. 14 May 2020. Retrieved 23 January 2021. This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain.
  6. "Display: SpaceBEE-5 COSPAR ID: 2018-099BM". NASA. 14 May 2020. Retrieved 23 January 2021. This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain.
  7. "Display: SpaceBEE-8". NASA. 14 May 2020. Retrieved 25 January 2021. This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain.
  8. "SpaceBEE-10 2020-061AK 46305". Jonathan's Launch Log. Retrieved 25 January 2021.
  9. "SpaceBEE-22 2020-085AA 46953". Jonathan's Launch Log. Retrieved 25 January 2021.
  10. Gunter space page SpaceBEE 1, 2, 3, 4
  11. "SpaceX smashes record with launch of 143 small satellites". Spaceflight Now. 24 January 2021. Retrieved 25 January 2021.
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