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Nova

ESPA-Grande LEO workhorse designed
to power proliferated constellations.

Configure Now
Configure Now

BUS OVERVIEW

ADAPTABLE LEO WORKHORSE

Nova is a highly adaptable LEO constellation workhorse with multiple layers of built-in redundancy to maximize reliability and serve customers across a wide range of demanding LEO missions.

‍

From proliferated communications to missile warning and tracking, Nova is designed to support large-scale constellation deployments across LEO orbits.

PAYLOAD MASS

UP TO

300

KG

Additional Payload Capacity Available With Heavy Configuration Package

PAYLOAD OAP

1

kW

Base Power EOL (7 yrs.)

FIRST FLIGHT

2026

DOWNLOAD THE NOVA SPEC SHEET
DOWNLOAD THE NOVA SPEC SHEET

NOTIONAL MISSIONS

Nova’s high-reliability architecture supports a range of critical LEO missions. From proliferated communications to missile warning and tracking, Nova provides a dependable platform for customers to deliver persistence, precision, and global reach.

Proliferated Communications

Nova's scalable production and highly-reliable, redundant architecture make it ideal for building resilient LEO constellations with global coverage.

HIGH-ALTITUDE remote sensing

Nova supports advanced sensing missions, including Missile Warning & Missile Tracking with a full 1kW of power and precision pointing.

SPACE-BASED INTERCEPTOR HOST VEHICLES

Heavy configurations of the Nova platform offer increased payload capacity to host SBIs and support critical on-orbit life-support functions.

Proliferated Communications

Nova's scalable production and highly-reliable, redundant architecture make it ideal for building resilient LEO constellations with global coverage.

HIGH-ALTITUDE remote sensing

Nova supports advanced sensing missions, including Missile Warning & Missile Tracking with a full 1kW of power and precision pointing.

SPACE-BASED INTERCEPTOR HOST VEHICLES

Heavy configurations of the Nova platform offer increased payload capacity to host SBIs and support critical on-orbit life-support functions.

Base Configuration Package

NOVA PLATFORM

DOWNLOAD THE SPEC SHEET
DOWNLOAD THE SPEC SHEET

Design Life 7 Years @ 1,100 km
Nominal Orbit 500-1,100 km circular orbit | 45°-135° Inclinations
Propulsion HET Electric Propulsion
Compatible Launch Vehicles SpaceX F9 (Rideshare or Dedicated) | NSSL | Others

Payload Volume SpaceX Rideshare XL Plate Compatible (Base Model):
965 × 1185 × 1000 mm (L × W × H)
Bus Dry Mass 300 kg (Base Model)
Payload Mass Up to 300 kg (Base Model)

Pointing Knowledge 25 arcsec @ 3σ
Pointing Control 50 arcsec @ 3σ
Pos/Vel/Time Accuracy Position 10 m
Velocity 0.03 m/s
Time 30 ns RMS

Payload Orbit Average Power (EOL @ 7 Years) Base Model: 1 kW
SADA Options Single-Axis SADAs
Encryption Options AES 256 | NSA Type 1
Payload Power Services Gigabit Ethernet | RS422 | PPS | Discretes | 10 MHz Clock Signal | Analog
Communications Included: Base | S-band TT&C (125 kbps)
Add on: Mission Data Link | X-Band (350 Mbps)

Published X-Band and S-Band data rates assume standard commercially available ground stations. Operational data rates may exceed published estimates.
Accommodations Mechanical accommodations for up to 4 customer-furnished OCTs (2 out of a plane, up to 4 in a plane)

CONFIGURE & ORDER YOUR APEX BUS

Select a bus model to start configuring
COMING SOON
PAYLOAD Capacity
150KG
PAYLOAD OAP
180-800W
COMING SOON
PAYLOAD Capacity
150KG
PAYLOAD OAP
180-800W
COMING SOON
PAYLOAD Capacity
150KG
PAYLOAD OAP
180-800W
LEARN MORE
LEARN MORE
ARIES CONFIGURATOR
LEO ARIES
  • Bus Mass: 125 kg
  • Payload Capacity: Up to 150 kg
  • Price includes separation system & virtual flatsat
1.0
Power
2.0
SADAs
3.0
Communications
4.0
Propulsion
5.0
Encryption
6.0
GNC
7.0
Development & Test Equipment
ADD-ONS
8.0
Services
COnfirm your spec
For quantity discounts, contact us.
PAYLOAD OAP
1
KW EOL
VIEW ASSUMPTIONS
ASSUMPTIONS
  • Power: Payload orbit average power (OAP) is listed as End of Life (EOL) and assumes a 550km circular sun-synchronous orbit with sun-tracking for the duration of the orbit.
  • Communications: Data rates listed are peak data rates.
  • Propulsion: Listed prices do not include propellant.
  • Launch Vehicle Integration: Listed LV integration pricing assumes Apex’s standard service and a US-based launch vehicle.
  • Available payload volume and masses shown assume a Falcon 9 Rideshare envelope.
TOTAL
$
00.00
Bus Delivery:
8
COnfirm your spec
For quantity discounts, contact us.
GEO ARIES CONFIGURATOR
GEO ARIES
  • Bus Mass: 175 kg
  • Payload Capacity: Up to 120 kg
  • Delta-V: Up to 800 m/s
  • Price includes separation system & virtual flatsat
1.0
Power
2.0
SADAs
3.0
Communications
4.0
Propulsion
5.0
Encryption
6.0
GNC
7.0
Services
COnfirm your spec
For quantity discounts, contact us.
PAYLOAD OAP
1
KW EOL
VIEW ASSUMPTIONS
ASSUMPTIONS
  • Up to 115 OAP.
  • Communications: Data rates listed are peak data rates.
  • Delta-v up to 800m/s.
  • Assumes standard ESPA volume.
TOTAL
$
00.00
Bus Delivery:
8
COnfirm your spec
For quantity discounts, contact us.
NOVA CONFIGURATOR
NOVA LEO
  • Payload Capacity: 300 kg
  • Pointing Knowledge: 25 arcsec @ 3σ
  • Pointing Control: 50 arcsec @ 3σ
  • Delta-V: Up to 650 m/s
  • Accommodations for 4 OCT’s
1.0
Communications
configurator_fieldset_icon
2.0
Encryption
3.0
GNC
4.0
Services
COnfirm your spec
For quantity discounts, contact us.
PAYLOAD OAP
1
KW EOL
VIEW ASSUMPTIONS
ASSUMPTIONS
  • Power: Payload Orbit Average Power (OAP) means average power available to the payload during an orbit. OAP is quoted at End of Life (EOL) and is true for any orbit within the nominal orbit range. A yaw-steering sun tracking attitude leveraging the single-axis SADAs is assumed.
  • Communications: Data rates listed are 95-percentile atmospheric conditions, 98-percentile worstearth location.
  • Propulsion: Listed prices do not include propellant.
  • Payload Mass: Listed available Payload Volume assumes a SpaceX Falcon 9 Full Plate XL.
  • Launch Vehicle Integration (LVI): Listed LVI prices for Aries do not transfer to Nova.
TOTAL
$
00.00
Bus Delivery:
8
COnfirm your spec
For quantity discounts, contact us.

EXPLORE APEX PLATFORMS

Looking for a larger or smaller LEO bus option? Apex's Aries and Comet platforms provide additional size, weight, and power options to support your next mission.

PAYLOAD MASS: Up to 150KG

Aries

Aries comes in LEO and GEO-tuned designs that support scaled constellations across orbital regimes, with payload capacities of up to 150 kg in LEO and 125 kg in GEO.

DISCOVER ARIES
DISCOVER ARIES

PAYLOAD MASS: 500+KG

Comet

Comet provides a platform for large-aperture, power-hungry payloads while leveraging a flat pack design to maximize efficiency for large-scale constellation deployments.

DISCOVER COMET
DISCOVER COMET