Editing Spacebus (section)

== Architecture ==
{{Main|Satellite bus}}
Spacebus satellites consist of a satellite bus, which provides power, propulsion, and other subsystems necessary for the satellite's operation, and a payload which is customisable according to the customer's requirements. The bus was designed to be adaptable to perform various missions; however, as of 2009, only communications satellites have been ordered. It was also designed to be adaptable when the capacity of launch systems increased.

The bus is made of [[carbon fibre]] with a [[composite honeycomb]] structure.{{when|date=August 2013}}<!-- is this true for all 80-odd Spacebus satellites manufactured since the 1980s???--> It contains fuel tanks, equipment to interface with a carrier rocket, and other critical systems. External panels contain equipment such as solar panels, payload, and engine. The payload, developed separately from the bus, takes up three panels. Once it has been outfitted with [[transponders]] or other equipment, it is transported to Cannes-Mandelieu, where it is integrated onto the bus.

The satellites are powered by rigid [[solar panels]]. Several configurations are used depending on the amount of power the satellite requires. [[Battery (electricity)|Batteries]] to store this power are produced by the [[Belgium|Belgian]] company [[ETCA]].{{which|date=August 2013}}<!-- for which satellites?  the current ones?  if so, when did this company get the contract?  who built them before? --> Early satellites used [[Nickel hydrogen battery|nickel-hydrogen batteries]], while later spacecraft use [[Lithium-ion battery|lithium-ion batteries]].{{citation needed|date=August 2013}}

Spacebus satellites use bipropellant, [[liquid-fuel rocket|liquid-fuelled]] chemical engines to achieve orbit and subsequently perform [[station-keeping]]. [[Electrically powered spacecraft propulsion|Electric propulsion]] was used on the [[Stentor (satellite)|Stentor]] and [[Astra 1K]] satellites, both of which were subsequently involved in launch failures. Spacebus Neo will be an electric propulsion satellite. A [[three-axis stabilisation]] system is used for attitude control.{{citation needed|date=August 2013}}