How Flexible CubeSat Platforms Are Changing Small Satellite Development

A CubeSat platform is the collection of subsystems that support a payload and enable a mission to operate in space. Many customers arrive with a payload and require a platform that provides the capabilities needed to operate on-orbit.

Typical CubeSat platform components include flight computers, power systems, communication hardware, and more. 2NDSpace provides the following CubeSat subsystem solutions:

• Solar panels
• Power systems
• CubeSat structures
• Deployable antennas
• Onboard computers
• CubeSat deployers

Increasingly, operators are purchasing complete platforms instead of assembling systems from multiple vendors. For that reason, 2NDSpace also provides tailor-made CubeSat platforms based on its core subsystem components. A complete platform lets a customer focus on their payload while relying on 2NDSpace's proven subsystems. Today, 2NDSpace is supporting several 3U and 6U spacecraft programs, demonstrating its ability to deliver complete platforms while remaining flexible enough to integrate third-party hardware whenever mission requirements call for it.

Every satellite mission has unique requirements. A customer may need additional attitude and navigation sensors, custom mechanical interfaces, modified internal layouts, propulsion integration, or a modified CubeSat structure. Rather than asking customers to adapt their missions around standard products, 2NDSpace works to customize hardware wherever practical.

According to Traversa, this engineering flexibility is often more valuable than marginal performance differences because it reduces integration challenges and helps keep programs on schedule. The company's deployable solar panels highlight this philosophy. Current projects include panels customised with mission-specific cut-outs, modified deployment angles, and integrated customer components. While these types of changes can be difficult or expensive to accommodate elsewhere in the industry, 2NDSpace sees them as an important part of helping customers achieve their mission objectives.

Solar panels are often the starting point for spacecraft architecture. The reason is simple: every subsystem depends on available power. Spacecraft design often begins with the power budget before expanding into launcher constraints, available volume, deployment geometry, and customer-specific integration requirements.

Depending on the mission, panels may also need to accommodate sun sensors, payload equipment, or other specialised hardware, all of which influence the final configuration. Designing an effective solar panel therefore involves balancing power generation with structural, mechanical, and operational constraints throughout the spacecraft. A successful design balances all of these competing factors.

Satellite structures appear simple because their primary role is to hold everything together. In practice, they must satisfy a wide range of requirements. CubeSat structures frequently need to accommodate different payload arrangements, adapt to varying internal stack configurations, and support propulsion systems.

Changes to any one subsystem can affect the entire structure and other mechanical parameters, such as the center of gravity of the CubeSat. That's why modern CubeSat providers increasingly emphasize modular and customizable structural architectures.

According to Traversa, aluminium alloys remain the industry's preferred material because of their proven balance between strength, weight, and cost. At the same time, he points to continued innovation across the sector, with engineers exploring alternative materials, additive manufacturing, and new structural concepts for future spacecraft. Throughout the discussion he returned to the same principle: providing customers with solutions that fit their mission rather than limiting them to standard configurations.

Historically, many organizations assembled spacecraft by sourcing individual components from multiple suppliers. That approach increases integration complexity and introduces additional program risk. Complete platforms offer several advantages:

• Faster integration — reduced engineering effort.
• Lower risk — proven subsystem compatibility.
• Simplified procurement — fewer vendor relationships.
• Faster deployment — shorter development schedules.

As commercial space activity grows, these benefits are becoming increasingly attractive to operators who want to focus on their payload and mission rather than on integrating disparate subsystems.

According to Traversa, CubeSats and nanosatellites will continue to play an important role across communications, Earth observation and climate monitoring, space-based computing, and orbital infrastructure. At the same time, many missions are beginning to demand larger spacecraft capable of delivering greater onboard power and computing capability. These missions often push beyond the capabilities of traditional CubeSat architectures. As a result, spacecraft platforms are evolving to support more demanding operational requirements.

As commercial and scientific ambitions continue to expand, companies that combine proven hardware with the flexibility to adapt to mission-specific requirements will be well positioned to support the next generation of satellite missions.

Rather than identifying a single flagship product, Traversa explained that demand shifts throughout the year. Solar panels may dominate one period, while electrical power systems, antennas, or structures become the strongest sellers during another.

The company's objective is not to become known for a single subsystem, but to establish itself as an engineering partner capable of supporting customers throughout the spacecraft development process.

The future of CubeSat development is likely to be defined by flexibility. Operators increasingly want hardware that adapts to mission needs rather than forcing missions to adapt to hardware limitations. That means greater emphasis on:

• Customizable subsystems
• Modular architectures
• Integrated platforms
• Responsive engineering support

Companies that can combine reliable hardware with mission-specific customization will be well positioned as the small satellite market continues to expand.

Hear Giulio Traversa discuss how 2NDSpace approaches CubeSat platforms, solar panels, structures, and integrated spacecraft — and why engineering flexibility is becoming a defining characteristic of successful small satellite missions.

Demand for flexible satellite platforms is growing as missions become more sophisticated and payload requirements continue to evolve. Orbital Transports connects spacecraft developers with CubeSat and nanosatellite platforms, solar panels, structures, power systems, and other critical satellite hardware from suppliers across the industry.

Explore CubeSat and nanosatellite solutions in the Orbital Transports catalog to find hardware for your next mission.

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