Flexbus Satellite Bus

Data current as of 2026-07-20.

The Flexbus bus accounts for 8 cataloged objects, of which 6 are in orbit and 6 are active. 2 have reentered. Most are built by EASF. The largest operator on this bus is European Space Agency. The first launched in 2000, the most recent in 2025.

6
In orbit
6
Active
8
Total launched
2
Reentered

Flexbus launched per year

1 2 3 2000: 1 launched, 1 since reentered 2001: 0 objects launched 2002: 0 objects launched 2003: 0 objects launched 2004: 0 objects launched 2005: 0 objects launched 2006: 0 objects launched 2007: 0 objects launched 2008: 0 objects launched 2009: 0 objects launched 2010: 1 object launched 2011: 0 objects launched 2012: 0 objects launched 2013: 3 objects launched 2014: 0 objects launched 2015: 0 objects launched 2016: 0 objects launched 2017: 0 objects launched 2018: 0 objects launched 2019: 1 launched, 1 since reentered 2020: 1 object launched 2021: 0 objects launched 2022: 0 objects launched 2023: 0 objects launched 2024: 0 objects launched 2025: 1 object launched 2000 2005 2010 2015 2020 2025
Still in orbit Since reentered Click a year to list its satellites.

Typical specifications

Most common values across cataloged Flexbus satellites.

Manufacturer EASF
Purpose Earth Science
Launch mass 473 kg
Dry mass 367 kg
Length 5 m
Diameter 1.5 m
Span 9.3 m
Shape Half hex prism+ boom
Power Solar cells, batteries
Propulsion AOCS 2x40mN
Design life 4 years
Equipment ASM, VFM, EFI, ACC, LRR
Typical orbit 93 min period, 66° inclination

Top operators

European Space Agency 4 COPERN/ESA 2 DARPA2 1 GFZ 1

Top countries

I-ESA 4 D 1 ESA 1 I-EU 1 US 1

Flexbus satellites

Track any of them live in KeepTrack.

Name NORAD COSPAR Owner Launched Orbit Status Track
SENTINEL-6B 66514 2025-264A COPERN/ESA Nov 17, 2025 112 min, 66.0° Active
SENTINEL-6 Sentinel-6 Michael Freilich 46984 2020-086A COPERN/ESA Nov 21, 2020 112 min, 66.0° Active
R3D2 R3D2 44073 2019-016A DARPA2 Mar 28, 2019 88 min, 39.5° Reentered
SWARM C Swarm C 39453 2013-067C ESA Nov 22, 2013 93 min, 87.3° Active
SWARM A Swarm A 39452 2013-067B ESA Nov 22, 2013 93 min, 87.3° Active
SWARM B Swarm B 39451 2013-067A ESA Nov 22, 2013 94 min, 87.7° Active
CRYOSAT 2 CRYOSAT 2 36508 2010-013A ESA Apr 8, 2010 99 min, 92.0° Active
CHAMP CHAMP 26405 2000-039B GFZ Jul 15, 2000 87 min, 87.2° Reentered

Frequently asked questions

How many Flexbus satellites are there?

The catalog lists 8 objects built on the Flexbus bus. 6 are in orbit and 2 have reentered.

How many Flexbus satellites are in orbit?

6 Flexbus objects are currently in orbit, of which 6 carry an active status.

Who builds the Flexbus bus?

The Flexbus bus is most commonly built by EASF.

When did the first Flexbus satellite launch?

The first cataloged Flexbus satellite launched in 2000, and the most recent in 2025.

Satellite data compiled by KeepTrack from CelesTrak, Space-Track, and GCAT, provided under CC BY-NC 4.0.