CNCE Block 2 @ Nanosats Database

Name	CNCE Block 2
Type	CubeSat
Units or mass	3U
Organisation	Missile Defense Agency
Institution	Military
Entity	Government (Civil / Military)
Nation	US
Manufacturer	AIVT by Blue Canyon
Operator	Blue Canyon
Costs	Single platform: $1.3 million
Oneliner	The cubesats will mimic two suborbital missile interceptor vehicles and test communications between them.
Description	The CNCE Block 2 is part of MDA’s Nanosat Testbed Initiative (NTI) and supports the development of MDA’s Hypersonic and Ballistic Tracking Space Sensor (HBTSS) and other MDA and DOD space efforts. It uses small, low-cost satellites to demonstrate networked radio communications between nanosatellites while in orbit. Transmitting data between interceptors, sensors and communication systems is critical to a missile defense architecture that must quickly identify, track and destroy incoming enemy missiles before they reach their targets. CNCE Block 2 will also test a new type of software-defined radio as well as demonstrate technology that supports space-based High Assurance Internet Protocol Encryption (HAIPE). The mission will last 90 days with provisions for a one-year extension. For HACSSAT 1,2, Blue Canyon provided Space Dynamic Lanoratories with bus electronics for 2 3U Cubesats, integrated the payloads, and completed environmental testing on both spacecrafts.
Sources	[1] [2] [3] [4] [5]
Photo Sources	[1] [2] [3]

Related Spacecraft

Name	Status	Launch	Orbit
CNCE V4 (CNCE4, Cubesat Networked Communications Experiment, CNCE Block 2, HACSSAT-1)	Operational (Press release on 2022-05-31)	2022-05-25	530 km, 97.5 deg, SSO
CNCE V5 (CNCE5, Cubesat Networked Communications Experiment, CNCE Block 2, HACSSAT-2)	Operational (Press release on 2022-05-31)	2022-05-25	530 km, 97.5 deg, SSO