The new SG3 satellite platform of the CubeSat format with artificial intelligence and ballistic orbit correction is presented

At the RusNanoSat-2025 symposium, engineers of the Russian private company Sputnix presented a new satellite platform SG3, made in CubeSat format. The development is positioned as a technological update and the result of the evolution of the company's previous platforms, which has absorbed more than a decade of experience in mass production and operation of small spacecraft for various purposes.

SG3 is a modular platform that scales from the 2U to 16U form factor, which allows it to be used for educational missions and monitoring, as well as for applied and scientific tasks. Compatibility with the company's previous solutions-ground stations, test benches, telemetry systems and software-reduces integration barriers and simplifies the adaptation of customers who have already worked with previous platforms.

The key technical improvement of the new version is the upgraded orientation and stabilization system, built on the basis of an improved astroorientation unit. The new architecture makes it possible to connect on-board atomic clocks to the control system, as well as integrate fiber — optic angular velocity sensors, ensuring high-precision orientation of the spacecraft in space-especially important for remote sensing, telecommunications and scientific observations.

The platform's functionality has been significantly expanded by adding new communication channels. In addition to the data transmission rate of up to 1 Gbit/s already implemented on the Zorky-2M series satellites, it is now possible to use the Earth–Space channel in the S-band. This creates conditions for high-speed two-way communication with the device, which is especially relevant when transmitting large amounts of information, including high-resolution images, telemetry, and processed data.

Special attention should be paid to the integration of the computing unit with support for artificial intelligence technology. This allows you to analyze and pre-process target data directly on board the satellite, reducing the delay between shooting and making decisions on the Ground. This approach is particularly effective in situations that require an immediate response — for example, when detecting anomalies on the Earth's surface, emergencies, or monitoring man-made objects.

Another feature of the SG3 is the ability to install a compact propulsion system. This solution gives the satellite the ability to correct its orbit, increases its ballistic life, and opens up prospects for re-positioning in a single mission. In the face of increasing orbital congestion and increasing space debris management requirements, the presence of its own engine is becoming an important factor in the competitiveness of small satellites.

According to the company's CEO Vladislav Ivanenko, SG3 is the result of accumulated experience and focus on international standards. The company has already delivered about 150 CubeSat vehicles to various customers, of which more than 90 have been launched into orbit. The new platform is a logical development of previous solutions, offering higher energy efficiency, modularity, intelligent functions and adaptability to specific tasks.

The company's production capacity is designed to produce at least 30 units per year in a maximum configuration of 16U. This makes the company one of the largest serial manufacturers of small satellites in Eastern Europe and gives reason to expect an expansion of export potential against the background of growing global demand for CubeSat solutions. With the rapid development of private space, the availability of launch programs and the emergence of low-orbit communication systems, universal and intelligent platforms are becoming a key segment of the space market.

SG3 can be used not only by government agencies and scientific organizations, but also by private companies, startups and educational institutions interested in their own space missions. The combination of compactness, intelligence and ballistic maneuverability opens up a wide range of applications for this platform — from telemedicine and agriculture to geological exploration and environmental protection.