LM 50 satellites demonstrate advanced
navigational algorithms and cloud-based operations
LITTLETON, Colo., April 18,
2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Lockheed Martin (NYSE: LMT)
today announced that its In-space Upgrade Satellite System (LM
LINUSS™) accomplished a successful on-orbit demonstration, proving
how small satellites can serve an essential role in sustaining
critical space architectures. They do this by regularly upgrading
existing constellations with new capabilities and extending
spacecraft design lifecycles.
LM LINUSS, a technology demonstration funded internally by
Lockheed Martin, is made up of two LM 50™ 12U CubeSats. While
on-orbit, the system demonstrated highly-automated rendezvous and
proximity operations (RPO), which enables complicated yet precise
maneuvering across multi-satellite constellations. This allows
on-orbit servicing coordination and upgrades at scale in any orbit.
The RPO demonstration was part of Lockheed Martin's mission to
validate essential maneuvering capabilities for future space
upgrade and servicing missions.
Close Proximity Maneuvers Set Stage for Future Mission
Capabilities
During the demonstration, one of the LM LINUSS CubeSats acted as
the designated servicing vehicle, navigating a flightpath towards
the second CubeSat, which represented the resident space object
(RSO). As the servicing vehicle approached the RSO, on-board
guidance algorithms made final real-time adjustments to complete
its rendezvous operations. Its culminating success was declared
when the CubeSats maneuvered in a proximity of one another that
demonstrated high confidence in conducting future on-orbit
servicing missions for customers.
"The LM LINUSS pathfinder is an excellent example of how
Lockheed Martin is investing in innovation in the real world. Agile
development, cloud-based operations, and smallsat platforms came
together at speed and in orbit, where the real test of technology
occurs," said Johnathon Caldwell,
Lockheed Martin, vice president and general manager, Military
Space. "Through the accomplishments of LM LINUSS, Lockheed Martin
is pioneering how future small and medium class missions will be
upgraded on-orbit, and continuing to develop critical, breakthrough
technologies that keep our customers ahead of ready."
In addition to RPO, the toaster-sized CubeSats also accomplished
additional technology demonstrations while on-orbit. Several of
these include:
- Performing automated maneuvers and using artificial
intelligence to fly coordinated flightpaths, supporting a variety
of operational conditions.
- Using Lockheed Martin's Horizon™ 2.0 command and control (C2)
software and advanced RPO software.
- Maintaining connection with a secure cloud-based architecture
for mission telemetry, tracking and control.
- Showcasing the company's advanced SmartSat™ software.
- Demonstrating miniaturized Space Domain Awareness
capabilities.
- Validating new onboard high-performance processing,
low-toxicity propulsion, inertial measurement units, machine
vision, and 3D-printed components.
LM LINUSS could be considered the most capable pair of CubeSats
in geosynchronous Earth orbit today, based on customer community
feedback. The spacecraft have higher bus density, payload
accommodation and on-orbit processing than any other CubeSat, which
helps enable revolutionary mission capabilities in the future. Part
of Lockheed Martin's LM 50 smallsat family, it is the collaborative
integration of the company's mission electro-optical payload deck
with a next-generation bus from Terran Orbital Corporation. LM
LINUSS and other Lockheed Martin pathfinders are helping create a
more sustainable future, safely adding mission life and more.
"This LM LINUSS demonstration was a success for many reasons,
including the fact that our team navigated the inherent challenges
of a novel technology and validated our software for future
missions," said David Barnhart, a
technology director at Lockheed Martin Space. "We will leverage
what our team learned from LM LINUSS' design, development, and
operations to continue advancing Lockheed Martin's innovative
vision for on-orbit satellite servicing and upgrades."
About Lockheed Martin
Headquartered in Bethesda, Maryland, Lockheed Martin Corporation is a
global security and aerospace company that employs approximately
116,000 people worldwide and is principally engaged in the
research, design, development, manufacture, integration and
sustainment of advanced technology systems, products and
services.
Please follow @LMNews on Twitter for the latest
announcements and news across the corporation,
and @LMSpace to learn more about the latest technologies,
missions and people driving the future of space.
View original content to download
multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/lockheed-martin-cubesats-successfully-validate-essential-maneuvers-for-on-orbit-servicing-301800078.html
SOURCE Lockheed Martin