The company's 10 small satellites successfully
separated from the launch vehicle and are now on orbit
LITTLETON, Colo., Sept. 2,
2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Ten Lockheed Martin-built (NYSE:
LMT) satellites have successfully been deployed into low-Earth
orbit in support of the Space Development Agency's (SDA) Tranche 0
Transport Layer (T0TL) mission. SDA's T0TL is a proliferated
low-Earth orbit (LEO) constellation that will demonstrate
low-latency communication and provide a resilient network of
integrated capabilities.
The small satellites launched aboard a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket
from Vandenberg Space Force Base in
California at 7:26 a.m. PDT today. Soon after liftoff, SDA
confirmed separation of all 10 of the Lockheed Martin-built
satellites from the launch vehicle.
"Lockheed Martin is proud to be part of SDA's mission to rapidly
bring a threat-driven, resilient set of integrated space
capabilities to life," said Joe
Rickers, Lockheed Martin's vice president for Protected
Communications. "We look forward to contributing more of our
expertise to this mission to strengthening deterrence and deliver
advanced military capabilities in space."
Each satellite incorporates a Terran Orbital bus and payload
processors and is equipped with SmartSat™, Lockheed Martin's
software platform that makes it easier to dynamically add and
quickly change missions in orbit through simple app uploads. The
satellites also host Link 16 radios to introduce a
terrestrial-proven network in space. Link-16 will enable
sensor-to-shooter targeting by connecting systems that include
fighter aircraft and Integrated Air and Missile Defense (IAMD)
networks.
Lockheed Martin is currently building 42 satellites for SDA's
Tranche 1 Transport Layer (T1TL) and was recently awarded an
agreement to build 36 of SDA's 72 Beta variant satellites for its
Tranche 2 Transport Layer (T2TL) constellation. The T1TL and T2TL
Beta satellites will be assembled, integrated, and tested in
Lockheed Martin's new small satellite (smallsat) processing
facility that is designed for the high-volume delivery of complete
satellites.
Lockheed Martin is partnering with the best minds in the
industry to support SDA's mission to provide resilient national
security space capabilities through a revolutionary approach of
proliferation and spiral development. A diverse supplier base and
small business partnerships, in addition to streamlined smallsat
processing methods, enable the company to accelerate technology
innovation and delivery.
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 X 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.
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SOURCE Lockheed Martin