Spacedev unveiled Nov. 7 a high-performance microsatellite product, the Spacedev Modular Microsatellite Bus (MMB-100). The 100-kilogram microsatellite is based on industry-standard plug-and-play interfaces, including Ethernet and USB, and uses a Linux operating system and COBRA-based object oriented interfaces for subsystems as well as commanding from the ground via the Internet. Spacedev said the bus is expected to cost less than $10 million, not including the payload and integration.

The MMB-100 is designed to be a secondary payload on a Delta 4 or Lockheed Martin Atlas 5 launch vehicle or the primary payload on smaller vehicles such as Space Exploration Corp.’s Falcon 1 and Orbital Sciences Corp.’s Pegasus.