NanoAvionics
Company Information
Headquarters
Columbia, Illinois, USA
Year Founded
2014
Industries
Aerospace, Satellite Manufacturing, Earth Observation, Satellite Communications, Defense, Scientific Research
What Is NanoAvionics?
NanoAvionics, operating as Kongsberg NanoAvionics, is a space technology company specializing in small satellite manufacturing and mission integration. A subsidiary of Kongsberg Defence & Aerospace, the company develops modular CubeSat and microsatellite platforms for commercial, scientific, and government missions. Its spacecraft support Earth observation, satellite communications, remote sensing, and technology demonstrations. NanoAvionics also provides end-to-end satellite mission services, including spacecraft design, payload integration, launch coordination, and orbital operations.
What Does NanoAvionics Do?
NanoAvionics designs, manufactures, integrates, and operates small satellites for organizations deploying individual spacecraft or satellite constellations. Its portfolio includes standardized CubeSat platforms and larger microsatellite buses that accommodate different payload sizes, power requirements, and mission configurations.
The company develops satellite structures, onboard computers, electrical power systems, attitude control hardware, and propulsion integration. These technologies support spacecraft operations, payload performance, and orbital maneuvering.
NanoAvionics also provides spacecraft assembly, integration, and testing, along with launch procurement, satellite registration, frequency coordination, and deployment preparation. Its mission control systems allow customers to monitor spacecraft health, send commands, and retrieve data after launch.
The company supports missions involving optical imaging, thermal infrared observation, radio-frequency monitoring, communications, and experimental propulsion systems. It also manufactures satellites for customers developing constellations that require repeatable spacecraft designs and coordinated orbital operations.
NanoAvionics Technology
NanoAvionics develops modular spacecraft architectures that combine standardized satellite buses with configurable payload interfaces and mission-specific subsystems. Its CubeSat and microsatellite platforms range from compact 6U spacecraft to the MP42D, a 500 kg-class platform introduced in 2026.
The company’s satellite buses integrate onboard computers, electrical power systems, communication equipment, attitude determination and control systems, and optional propulsion capabilities. These systems coordinate spacecraft orientation, power distribution, command processing, and payload operations throughout a mission.
Its larger MP42 platforms support demanding payloads such as optical imagers, synthetic aperture radar instruments, radio-frequency sensors, and communications equipment. The MP42D can accommodate payloads weighing up to 250 kilograms and offers optional optical intersatellite links capable of supporting high-speed communication between spacecraft.
NanoAvionics develops radiation-tolerant electronics and tests spacecraft components against radiation effects that can disrupt onboard systems. Its satellite designs can incorporate redundancy to maintain critical functions when individual components encounter faults.
The company also produces attitude control components, including magnetorquers that interact with Earth’s magnetic field to adjust spacecraft orientation. Depending on mission requirements, its platforms can incorporate propulsion systems for orbital maintenance, repositioning, and atmospheric drag compensation.
NanoAvionics combines spacecraft hardware with mission control software, launch integration, and ground communications. This allows satellite operators to use a common technical architecture from spacecraft manufacturing through on-orbit operations.
Why NanoAvionics Matters
Commercial and institutional satellite missions increasingly require spacecraft that can be manufactured repeatedly while accommodating different sensors and communications payloads. NanoAvionics addresses this requirement through standardized, configurable satellite platforms that reduce the amount of custom engineering needed for each mission.
Its expanded MP42 family supports more demanding Earth observation and communications missions, including spacecraft carrying larger optical instruments, radar payloads, and advanced propulsion technology.
NanoAvionics also provides integrated satellite mission services, allowing customers to combine spacecraft manufacturing, launch coordination, and orbital operations through one provider. Its 2026 partnership with KSAT extends these capabilities through global ground connectivity and mission support.
The company’s technology supports satellite constellation deployment, scientific experimentation, and the development of new commercial services that depend on data collected from orbit.
NanoAvionics Products & Platforms
MP42D Microsatellite Bus
MP42D is NanoAvionics’ largest modular microsatellite platform, designed for spacecraft with a total mass of up to approximately 500 kilograms and payloads weighing up to 250 kilograms. The platform supports demanding optical imaging, radar, and communications missions. It offers Light, Mid, and Max configurations, optional propulsion, and optical intersatellite links for high-speed data exchange.
MP42 Microsatellite Bus
MP42 is a modular satellite bus designed for payloads weighing up to 100 kilograms. It supports optical imaging, thermal infrared sensors, communications equipment, and scientific instruments. The platform offers different configurations for power availability, data transmission, and pointing accuracy.
MP42H Microsatellite Bus
MP42H is a compact microsatellite platform designed for missions requiring a smaller spacecraft architecture. It supports applications such as radio-frequency signal monitoring, remote sensing, and technology demonstrations while using standardized spacecraft subsystems and payload interfaces.
M16P CubeSat Platform
M16P is a 16U CubeSat platform designed for missions requiring greater payload accommodation than smaller CubeSat configurations. It supports Earth observation, communications, scientific research, and experimental payload integration.
M12P CubeSat Platform
M12P is a 12U nanosatellite platform that integrates spacecraft structures, electrical systems, avionics, and configurable payload interfaces. It supports scientific instruments, communications technology, and Earth observation payloads.
M8P CubeSat Platform
M8P is an 8U CubeSat bus developed for compact satellite missions requiring standardized onboard systems and flexible payload integration. Applications include technology validation, remote sensing, and communications experiments.
M6P CubeSat Platform
M6P is a 6U CubeSat platform designed for small satellite missions involving research instruments, communications payloads, and technology demonstrations. Its modular architecture supports spacecraft integration within standardized CubeSat dimensions.
Satellite Components and Subsystems
NanoAvionics manufactures spacecraft components, including magnetorquers, onboard computers, power management systems, and other satellite subsystems. These products support spacecraft control, electrical distribution, and integration into CubeSat and microsatellite platforms.
Small Satellite Mission Services
The company provides end-to-end satellite mission services, covering spacecraft manufacturing, payload integration, environmental testing, launch procurement, frequency coordination, satellite registration, and orbital operations. Its mission control infrastructure supports satellite monitoring, commanding, and data delivery.
NanoAvionics Applications
NanoAvionics technology supports Earth observation and remote sensing missions that collect optical imagery, thermal infrared measurements, and environmental data. Its satellite platforms can carry sensors used for agricultural monitoring, water management, geospatial intelligence, and maritime surveillance.
The company’s spacecraft also support satellite communications and constellation deployment, including broadband connectivity, Internet of Things services, and experimental communications payloads.
Additional applications include radio-frequency monitoring, scientific research, space technology demonstrations, and testing of advanced propulsion systems. Its microsatellite platforms are also being used in projects involving very low Earth orbit operations and defense-related space surveillance.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is NanoAvionics part of Kongsberg?
Yes. NanoAvionics is a subsidiary of Kongsberg Defence & Aerospace and operates under the name Kongsberg NanoAvionics. The company continues to develop satellite platforms, spacecraft subsystems, and mission services for commercial and institutional customers.
What sizes of satellites does NanoAvionics manufacture?
NanoAvionics manufactures CubeSat platforms in 6U, 8U, 12U, and 16U configurations, along with larger MP42-series microsatellite buses. Its MP42D platform supports spacecraft weighing up to approximately 500 kilograms, including payloads of up to 250 kilograms.
Does NanoAvionics launch its own rockets?
No. NanoAvionics manufactures satellites and arranges launch services through external launch providers. Its launch integration activities include securing launch opportunities, coordinating technical interfaces, preparing spacecraft documentation, and supporting satellite deployment.
What is the difference between NanoAvionics’ MP42 and MP42D platforms?
MP42 is a modular microsatellite platform designed for payloads weighing up to 100 kilograms. MP42D is a larger 500 kg-class platform capable of accommodating payloads weighing up to 250 kilograms. MP42D is designed for more demanding imaging, radar, and communications missions.
Can NanoAvionics operate satellites after launch?
Yes. NanoAvionics provides satellite mission operations through its mission control software and ground communications infrastructure. Its services include spacecraft monitoring, commanding, data delivery, and support throughout the satellite’s operational lifetime.
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