Lockheed Martin Completes NASA's Orion Spacecraft Capsule For Artemis 1 Mission To The Moon

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, Fla., July 20, 2019/PRNewswire/ -- The goal of humans again walking on the Moon is one giant leap closer. Lockheed Martin (NYSE: LMT) has completed building the capsule for NASA's Orion spacecraft. The crew module capsule for the uncrewed Artemis 1 mission to the Moon has been stacked on top of the Orion service module, which was also recently finished.

Vice President Mike Pence made the announcement today at a ceremony in front of the Orion spacecraft in the aptly-named Neil Armstrong Operations and Checkout Building at the Kennedy Space Center in Florida. The event and announcement commemorated the 50-year anniversary of the Apollo 11 Moon landing.

Lockheed Martin's President, Chairman and CEO Marillyn Hewson also provided remarks at the ceremony, in addition to NASA's Administrator Jim Bridenstine, Kennedy Space Center'sDirector Robert Cabana and Florida's Governor Ron DeSantis.

The Orion spacecraft is like none other in its design and capability.

"Orion is a new class of spaceship, uniquely designed for long-duration deep space flight, that will return astronauts to the Moon and eventually take the first humans to Mars, and bring them all back safely." said Lisa Callahan, vice president and general manager of Commercial Civil Space at Lockheed Martin. "Orion will accelerate scientific discovery of our solar system and will be the cornerstone of the defining space achievement of this era."

Since the crew module pressure vessel arrived in Florida, technicians and engineers from Lockheed Martin, NASA and supporting contractors have meticulously assembled the capsule into its finished state. The work included installing the capsule's avionic computers, harnesses, propulsion system and its 12 engines, 11 parachutes, its large 16-foot-diameter heat shield, forward bay cover and numerous other systems and components. 

"Throughout assembly, the team tested and validated the many systems a hundred different ways to ensure they will operate as designed in the harshness of deep space," said Mike Hawes, Orion program manager for Lockheed Martin. "The Artemis 1 flight will test the design and workmanship of the capsule and its service module during the three-week mission out around the Moon and back. We're excited for this mission as it paves the way for the first crewed mission in 2022, Artemis 2."

The crew module and service module were stacked together earlier in the week in the Final Assembly and System Testing (FAST) cell where they are now being fully integrated, including connecting the physical retention bolts and the umbilical lines between the two modules. The FAST cell is also where the Apollo spacecraft were integrated.

The combined stack will then be powered up and undergo a series of integrated systems tests. In September, the combined stack will be shipped to NASA's Plum Brook Station in Ohio, where it will go through environmental testing in a large thermal vacuum chamber as well as testing for electromagnetic interference and compatibility.

Once Orion returns to Kennedy at the end of the year, the spacecraft will go through final preparations before Lockheed Martin delivers it to ground systems for launch processing in early 2020.

More information about Orion:
Lockheed Martin Orion page: https://www.lockheedmartin.com/orion 
NASA Orion page: https://www.nasa.gov/orion

Northrop Grumman to Demonstrate Robotic Manufacturing in Space

REDONDO BEACH, Calif. – July 16, 2019 – Made In Space (MIS) has awarded Northrop Grumman Corporation (NYSE: NOC) a subcontract to support NASA’s Space Technology Mission Directorate (STMD) demonstration of the autonomous robotic manufacturing and assembly platform, Archinaut, on a flight mission. The flight demonstration contract award marks the second phase of the NASA-funded Archinaut technology development program which was initially awarded in 2016.

“Demonstrating additive manufacturing in space will open up new doors in the design and construction of space structures that to date have been limited by the volume of a launch vehicle,” said Richard Stapp, vice president, resiliency and rapid prototyping, Northrop Grumman. “Effectively building structures in space is one of the next big steps in our continuous journey of space exploration.”

The objective of Archinaut’s flight demonstration mission is to construct two 10 meter solar arrays, on orbit, to power a small satellite. The Archinaut system will be integrated into an ESPA class satellite bus and launched into space. Once on orbit, Archinaut will employ its extended structure additive manufacturing capabilities and advanced robotics to manufacture and assemble the satellite’s power generation system. The Archinaut-created solar array will yield nearly five times the power currently available to ESPA-class satellites.

Archinaut’s flight demo mission will demonstrate transformative, near-term benefits for the satellite industry. Robust small satellite power systems manufactured on-orbit, would reduce launch mass and cost by allowing small satellites to host power-intensive payloads previously reserved for larger platforms. These benefits could drastically lower the barrier of entry for new users and revolutionize satellite design.

This flight demonstration contract award follows a successful ground-based testing campaign of Archinaut’s core additive manufacturing and robotic assembly technologies, qualifying the Archinaut platform for spaceflight. Northrop Grumman supported phase 1 of Archinaut development by hosting thermal vacuum testing at Space Park in California. This testing marked a critical milestone in the Archinaut program to validate the technology readiness of Archinaut’s system for the space environment. Northrop Grumman’s resiliency and rapid prototyping program leveraged its extensive engineering expertise in avionics and systems integration during the first phase of the program.

Northrop Grumman Rockets Support Successful Abort Test of NASA’s Orion Crew Capsule

Successful test puts U.S. one step closer to launching humans from American soil again

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – July 2, 2019 – Northrop Grumman Corporation (NYSE: NOC) provided major support for the booster and two additional motors for today’s successful test of the NASA Orion crew spacecraft’s abort system. The Ascent Abort-2 (AA-2) test is a key milestone paving the way for human space flight aboard NASA’s Space Launch System (SLS). Orion and SLS are part of NASA’s exploration program to return astronauts to the moon and beyond to Mars.

“The flawless operation of spacecraft launch abort safety systems is critical to keeping our astronauts out of harm’s way,” said Blake Larson, president, Northrop Grumman Innovation Systems. “We are proud to play a role in ensuring crew safety and to contribute to this major step in America’s space exploration future.”

The ATB was provided to NASA under a contract with the U.S. Air Force’s Space and Missile Systems Center (SMC), and it is based on Northrop Grumman’s Minotaur family of launch vehicles. The AA-2 mission is led by NASA in partnership with SMC’s Launch Enterprise Systems Directorate (SMC/LE) and Rocket Systems Launch Program (SMC/RSLP), located at Kirtland Air Force Base, New Mexico. SMC/RSLP provided the refurbished legacy SR118 Peacekeeper ICBM first stage motor for the ATB.

AA-2 provided engineers with critical abort test data to help validate computer models of the spacecraft’s Launch Abort System (LAS) performance and system functions. This test and the previous Pad Abort-1 test at White Sands Missile Range, New Mexico on May 6, 2010, demonstrate that the LAS is ready to perform effectively during the most stressful missions.

Weighing approximately 16,000 pounds, the LAS can activate within milliseconds to pull the Orion vehicle to safety and position it for a safe landing. The LAS is comprised of three solid propellant rocket motors: the abort motor, an attitude control motor and a jettison motor.

Fit For Success: Advanced Extremely High Frequency Satellite Encapsulated And Prepared For Launch

The U.S. Air Force's AEHF-5 Protected Communications satellite has been encapsulated for launch.

TITUSVILLE, Fla., June 17, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- The U.S. Air Force's fifth Lockheed Martin (NYSE: LMT) built Advanced Extremely High Frequency satellite (AEHF-5) completed encapsulation into its payload fairing in preparation to launch aboard a United Launch Alliance Atlas V rocket from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station. Its launch window is currently scheduled to open at 6:00 a.m. EDT on June 27.

AEHF-5 is the most recent addition to the constellation that provides global, survivable, highly secure and protected communications for strategic command and tactical warfighters operating on ground, sea and air platforms.

This fifth satellite will add another layer of flexibility for provision critical strategic and tactical protected communications to the warfighter. This added resilience to the existing constellation will help ensure warfighters can connect globally to communicate and transmit data at all times.

"The team has worked exceptionally hard to get us where we are today, preparing to launch SV5 less than a year after we launched SV4, and I am proud of their contributions to the program," said Mike Cacheiro, vice president for Protected Communications at Lockheed Martin Space. "This is the result of commitment and dedication from the entire AEHF team and our partners at the US Air Force's Space and Missiles Systems Center."

Lockheed Martin developed and manufactured the satellite at their production facility located in Sunnyvale, California. After the satellite was built, it shipped to Cape Canaveral Air Force Station courtesy of a C-5 aircraft from the 60th Air Mobility Wing at Travis Air Force Base.

The AEHF team is led by the Military Satellite Communications Directorate at the U.S. Air Force's Space and Missiles Systems Center, Los Angeles Air Force Base, California. Lockheed Martin is the prime contractor for the AEHF.

The AEHF system provides vastly improved global, survivable, protected communicationscapabilities for strategic command and tactical warfighters operating on ground, sea and air platforms. The jam-resistant system also serves international partners including Canada, the Netherlands and the United Kingdom.

Northrop Grumman Successfully Demonstrates Critical Space Capability for DARPA Mission in Record Time

Rapid prototyping capabilities led DARPA’s R3D2 program to success

REDONDO BEACH, Calif. – May 7, 2019 – Northrop Grumman Corporation (NYSE: NOC) successfully demonstrated rapid spacecraft development for the Defense Advanced Research Project Agency (DARPA), with the Radio Frequency Risk Reduction Deployment Demonstration (R3D2), which launched on March 28, 2019.

Northrop Grumman led a unique team of commercial suppliers to deliver a 150 kg small satellite from concept to orbit in 20 months. Traditional satellites of comparable complexity typically take many years to get to this stage.

“Our team’s success with the R3D2 program is a strong proof of concept that the rapid development of future space capabilities is possible,” said Scott Stapp, vice president, resiliency and rapid prototyping, Northrop Grumman. “We look forward to continuing to lead the cultural change necessary in the industry, by partnering with the U.S. government, commercial suppliers and startups to deliver prototypes and demonstrations for critical national security missions. Taking thoughtful risks and eliminating bureaucracy allowed us to streamline our processes to achieve rapid timelines.”

The significantly accelerated timeline of R3D2 was enabled by DARPA’s approach of reducing requirements, reviews, and deliverables, while accepting greater levels of risk than is typical for an operational system. Northrop Grumman, known for its systems engineering expertise and extensive experience in leading successful space missions, utilized innovative rapid-development processes and commercial suppliers to keep schedule and risk balanced.

The Northrop Grumman-led team, included Blue Canyon Technologies, provider of the spacecraft bus, and Trident Systems, who designed and built R3D2’s software-defined radio. R3D2 was launched from the Mahia Peninsula in New Zealand by Rocket Lab.

Northrop Grumman is a leading global security company providing innovative systems, products and solutions in autonomous systems, cyber, C4ISR, space, strike, and logistics and modernization to customers worldwide.

Please visit news.northropgrumman.com and follow us on Twitter, @NGCNews, for more information.

Northrop Grumman’s Cygnus Spacecraft Successfully Completes Rendezvous and Berthing with International Space Station

“S.S. Roger Chaffee” delivers approximately 7,600 pounds of cargo to the orbiting laboratory

Dulles, Va. – April 19, 2019 – Northrop Grumman Corporation (NYSE: NOC)  today announced that the “S.S. Roger Chaffee” Cygnus™ spacecraft successfully completed its rendezvous and berthing maneuvers with the International Space Station earlier this morning. The mission marks the company’s 11th successful berthing with the orbiting laboratory.

Northrop Grumman’s Cygnus spacecraft approaches the International Space Station for a robotic capture. Credit: NASA TV

Cygnus launched aboard a Northrop Grumman Antares™ rocket on April 17, 2019 from the Mid-Atlantic Regional Spaceport Pad 0A on Wallops Island, Virginia. As the spacecraft approached the space station, Cygnus executed a series of thruster burns to raise its orbit. Once the spacecraft was in close range, crew members on board the space station grappled the spacecraft with the station’s robotic arm at 5:30 a.m. EDT. Cygnus was then guided to its berthing port on the nadir side of the station’s Unity module and officially installed on to the space station at 7:31 a.m. EDT.

“Our arrival at the space station as the ‘S.S. Roger Chaffee’ marks a proud moment for the NASA and Northrop Grumman teams,” said Frank DeMauro, vice president and general manager, space systems, Northrop Grumman. “As we deliver critical supplies and cargo to the astronauts aboard the space station, we are inspired by Lt. Commander Chaffee’s courage and commitment to the human exploration of space. The Cygnus spacecraft represents his planned journey to space in memory of those who took great risks to advance our nation’s space program.”  

Astronaut Roger Chaffee and his crewmates, Virgil “Gus” Grissom and Ed White II, all died in a tragic accident after a fire occurred in the space capsule during a simulation of the Apollo 1 launch in 1967. While his crewmates had flown to space on previous missions, Chaffee had not yet traveled to space. The naming of Cygnus in honor of his memory recognizes his legacy and valued contributions to human spaceflight.

Cygnus arrived at the space station with nearly 7,600 pounds (approximately 3,450 kilograms) of cargo, supplies and scientific experiments. The crew is now scheduled to open Cygnus’ hatch and make initial ingress into the cargo module to begin unloading the pressurized cargo. Cygnus will remain docked at the station for approximately three months before departing on secondary missions.

Once Cygnus departs the station, the spacecraft will begin a secondary mission to deploy CubeSats for two commercial customers. Cygnus will reposition to deploy three CubeSats using a NanoRacks deployer in the Company’s seventh commercial mission.  The Slingshot CubeSat Deployer system is also on board and marking its second mission on a Cygnus spacecraft. Slingshot is a flexible platform that can fly hosted payloads and CubeSats. The system is scheduled to be installed by astronauts while Cygnus is docked to the station in preparation for another round of CubeSat deployments during the next phase of its mission.

After the CubeSats are deployed, Cygnus will remain in orbit for an extended duration mission, an achievement marking a “first” for the spacecraft as it demonstrates capabilities beyond cargo supply and disposal. This newest innovation showcases Cygnus as a future testbed for various types of hosted payload missions. Upon completion of its secondary missions, Cygnus will perform a safe, destructive reentry into Earth’s atmosphere over the Pacific Ocean.

Northrop Grumman Set to Launch 11th Cargo Delivery Mission to the International Space Station for NASA

Mission to showcase late load operations, long-duration post-space station departure mission for Cygnus, and largest cargo load launched aboard an Antares rocket to date

Dulles, Va. – April 16, 2019 – Northrop Grumman Corporation (NYSE: NOC) announced it is set to launch the company’s AntaresTM rocket carrying its CygnusTM cargo spacecraft to the International Space Station for NASA. Pending completion of cargo late load, final vehicle testing and acceptable local weather conditions, the launch will take place April 17 with lift-off scheduled for 4:46 p.m. EDT from the Mid-Atlantic Regional Spaceport Pad 0A on Wallops Island, Virginia, at NASA’s Wallops Flight Facility. The Cygnus spacecraft is scheduled to rendezvous and berth with the station on April 19, 2019.

Northrop Grumman’s Antares™ rocket and Cygnus™ spacecraft are set to launch the company’s 11th cargo delivery mission to the International Space Station.

The mission, designated NG-11, marks the 11th time Cygnus will deliver cargo to the International Space Station for NASA and will complete the Commercial Resupply Services-1 (CRS-1) contract. The company’s first launch under the CRS-2 contract is planned for this fall.

For the NG-11 mission, Northrop Grumman will showcase a number of new capabilities including late load operations and a solo, long duration post-space station departure mission for Cygnus. In addition, the Antares medium-class rocket is set to carry its largest cargo load to date, transporting approximately 7,600 pounds (3,450 kilograms) of vital supplies and scientific equipment aboard Cygnus.

Antares is carrying two secondary payloads on its second stage. These small satellites include one NASA-sponsored 3U CubeSat called Student Aerothermal Spectrometer Satellite of Illinois and Indiana CubeSat (SASSI2) and 60 ThinSats. SASSI was built by students attending the Universities of Indiana and Illinois. The ThinSats program is a science, technology, engineering and mathematics outreach program sponsored by the Virginia Commercial Space Flight Authority for grades 4-12. These satellites were built by students from 70 schools located in 9 states (Arizona, Connecticut, Florida, Kentucky, Maryland, North Carolina, South Carolina, Virginia, and West Virginia). After the ThinSats are deployed, students will collect and analyze data transmitted from their satellite for approximately five days before it deorbits and burns up in the atmosphere.

Northrop Grumman names each Cygnus spacecraft in honor of astronauts and individuals who contributed to the United States’ space program. For the NG-11 mission, the company commemorates astronaut Roger Chaffee who was selected by NASA to fly on the first manned mission of the Apollo program in 1967. Lt. Commander Chaffee, and crewmates, Virgil “Gus” Grissom and Ed White II, all died in a tragic accident after a fire occurred in the space capsule during a simulation of the Apollo 1 launch. Unlike his crewmates, Chaffee had not yet traveled to space. The Cygnus spacecraft will represent Roger Chaffee’s planned journey to space in memory of those who made the ultimate sacrifice so that others could pursue their dreams of space exploration.

On this mission the S.S. Roger Chaffee will demonstrate for the first time the ability to load cargo 24 hours before a scheduled launch. This capability allows time-sensitive payloads to be safely transported to the International Space Station.

Cygnus will be grappled by the crew aboard the International Space Station at approximately 5:30 a.m. EDT on April 19, 2019. The spacecraft will remain attached to the space station for approximately two months before departing with up to 7,700 pounds (approximately 3,500 kilograms) of cargo for disposal. The removal of this disposable cargo is a crucial step in keeping the space station operational.

Once Cygnus is unberthed from the station, it will reposition to deploy three CubeSats using a NanoRacks deployer. The Slingshot CubeSat Deployer System is also scheduled to be installed by astronauts while Cygnus is docked to the station for another round of deployments once the spacecraft unberths. These companies are just two examples of how the Cygnus spacecraft can facilitate commercial businesses through the second phase of its resupply missions to the space station.

After the S.S. Roger Chaffee deploys the hosted CubeSats, it will demonstrate the ability to remain in orbit for an extended duration independent of the space station. This innovation positions Cygnus to be used as a future testbed for various types of hosted payloads. While Cygnus performs this free flight, it will maintain an undisturbed microgravity environment which could host a number of experiments and technology demonstrations in the future. Once this demonstration is complete, Cygnus will perform a safe and destructive reentry into the Earth’s atmosphere over the Pacific Ocean.

The advanced capabilities demonstrated on this mission allow the International Space Station to maximize its potential as an orbiting laboratory and fosters a new economy in low-Earth orbit. Including NG-11, Cygnus will have delivered approximately 30,000kg (66,000 lbs.) of cargo under the CRS-1 contract. Future Cygnus missions will continue to showcase innovations benefitting the space station, commercial partners and deep space missions.

Live coverage of the Antares launch and Cygnus berthing with the station will be available on NASA Television at http://www.nasa.gov/live. Details about the mission can be viewed here.

Northrop Grumman Successfully Completes Second Ground Test of New Rocket Motor for United Launch Alliance Atlas V

Graphite epoxy motors will add power to the Atlas V rocket beginning next year

Dulles, Va. – April 4, 2019 – Northrop Grumman Corporation (NYSE: NOC) conducted its second ground test of a 63-inch diameter Graphite Epoxy Motor (GEM 63) today in Promontory, Utah. The company developed this new side-mounted rocket motor to add power to the United Launch Alliance (ULA) Atlas V launch vehicle.

Northrop Grumman conducted the second ground test of its newly-developed GEM 63 rocket motor April 4, 2019, in Promontory, Utah. The GEM 63 will fly on United Launch Alliance’s Atlas V launch vehicle starting next year.

The maximum thrust of the GEM 63 is 373,000 pounds or roughly the equivalent of five B-2 Spirit bombers. Up to five GEM 63 motors can support a single Atlas V launch.

“The Northrop Grumman team developed the GEM 63 motor in just three years, an impressive accomplishment for such a complex drop-in solution to an existing launch vehicle,” said Charlie Precourt, vice president, propulsion systems, Northrop Grumman.

The GEM 63 team developed the motor under a cooperative development program with ULA. Northrop Grumman has been supplying solid propulsion motors for a variety of launch vehicles since 1964 and is ULA’s largest legacy supplier of solid propulsion. Northrop Grumman’s expertise in solid rocket boosters combined with ULA’s history of reliability results in a strong partnership that guarantees assured access to space for national security.

“This test is an important step in the development of these new boosters for the Atlas V launch vehicle and we thank Northrop Grumman for the continued partnership and outstanding teamwork,” said Tory Bruno, ULA’s president and CEO. “By flying key hardware first on our Atlas V rocket prior to flying it on our Vulcan Centaur rocket, it provides increased confidence for the first flight of our new rocket in 2021.”

The first ground test, conducted in September 2018, qualified the motor for use as a strap-on booster for the Atlas V. Today’s test satisfies additional requirements for certification by the U.S. Air Force. The first launch using GEM 63 motors will take place in 2020.

In addition to the GEM 63 motor, Northrop Grumman is also developing a GEM 63XL motor for ULA’s Vulcan Centaur rocket. Both versions of the GEM 63 family use common materials and processes to maintain a high-reliability, low-cost product. The first GEM 63XL case, which is the longest non-segmented, monolithic case ever manufactured, has already been wound at a new facility in Clearfield, Utah, and is currently in the structural qualification process.

Second Lockheed Martin-Built GPS III Satellite For The U.S. Air Force Arrives In Cape Canaveral For July Launch

Satellite Will Bring New Technology and Capabilities To Modernize the GPS Constellation

Lockheed Martin shipped the U.S. Air Force’s second GPS III to Cape Canaveral, Florida ahead of its expected July launch.

CAPE CANAVERAL, Florida, March 26, 2019 – The U.S. Air Force’s second new GPS III satellite, bringing higher-power, more accurate and harder-to-jam signals to the GPS constellation, has arrived in Florida for launch.

On March 18, Lockheed Martin (NYSE: LMT) shipped the Air Force’s second GPS III space vehicle (GPS III SV02) to Cape Canaveral for an expected July launch. Designed and built at Lockheed Martin’s GPS III Processing Facility near Denver, the satellite traveled from Buckley Air Force Base, Colorado, to the Cape on a massive Air Force C-17 aircraft. The Air Force nicknamed the GPS III SV02 “Magellan” after Portuguese explorer Ferdinand Magellan.

GPS III is the most powerful and resilient GPS satellite ever put on orbit. Developed with an entirely new design, for U.S. and allied forces, it will have three times greater accuracy and up to eight times improved anti-jamming capabilities over the previous GPS II satellite design block, which makes up today’s GPS constellation.

GPS III also will be the first GPS satellite to broadcast the new L1C civil signal. Shared by other international global navigation satellite systems, like Galileo, the L1C signal will improve future connectivity worldwide for commercial and civilian users.

The Air Force began modernizing the GPS constellation with new technology and capabilities with the December 23, 2018 launch of its first GPS III satellite. GPS III SV01 is now receiving and responding to commands from Lockheed Martin’s Launch and Checkout Center at the company’s Denver facility.

“After orbit raising and antenna deployments, we switched on GPS III SV01’s powerful signal-generating navigation payload and on Jan. 8 began broadcasting signals,” Johnathon Caldwell, Lockheed Martin’s Vice President for Navigation Systems. “Our on orbit testing continues, but the navigation payload’s capabilities have exceeded expectations and the satellite is operating completely healthy.”

GPS III SV02 is the second of ten new GPS III satellites under contract and in full production at Lockheed Martin. GPS III SV03-08 are now in various stages of assembly and test. The Air Force declared the second GPS III “Available for Launch” in August and, in November, called GPS III SV02 up for its 2019 launch.

In September 2018, the Air Force selected Lockheed Martin for the GPS III Follow On (GPS IIIF) program, an estimated $7.2 billion opportunity to build up to 22 additional GPS IIIF satellites with additional capabilities. GPS IIIF builds off Lockheed Martin’s existing modular GPS III, which was designed to evolve with new technology and changing mission needs. On September 26, the Air Force awarded Lockheed Martin a $1.4 billion contract for support to start up the program and to contract the 11th and 12thGPS III satellite.

Once declared operational, GPS III SV01 and SV02 are expected to take their place in today’s 31 satellite strong GPS constellation, which provides positioning, navigation and timing services to more than four billion civil, commercial and military users.

ITALIAN SPACE AGENCY’S PRISMA SATELLITE SUCCESSFULLY LAUNCHED

Take-off occurred at 2.50am aboard VEGA Italian launcher PRISMA will provide hyperspectral images of Earth  

Rome, March 22nd, 2019 – Starting tonight Italy’s PRISMA satellite has begun its mission orbiting Earth.  Its hyperspectral eyes will soon observe and acquire new images of Earth giving insight into its natural resources. PRISMA is an Italian Space Agency’s satellite demonstrator. National industries and many Small and Medium Enterprises (SME) contributed to its design, launch and data receipt.  Using the VEGA launcher, it took off from the European base of Kourou in French Guyana at 2.50 am GMT+1.  

Now the satellite will face three months of verifications; its operational activity will start in June 2019. PRISMA’s full program cost 126 million Eur. It will produce significant industrial and scientific benefits for the national community and around the planet.  

“PRISMA has brought into orbit the Italian ability ‘to make Space’. It represents the first European hyperspectral mission,” said Professor Piero Benvenuti, Commissioner of Italian Space Agency. “As such, it represents a unique opportunity to develop advanced know-how and test the innovative contribution expected from hyperspectral data in Earth Observation applications. Furthermore, PRISMA plays a strategic role in the future hyperspectral operational mission within Sentinel missions of Copernicus European Program”.  

PRISMA will complete the current Italian Space Agency offer of Earth Observation space segment, now primarly based on the Synthetic Aperture Radar of COSMO-SkyMed constellation. Thanks to its hyperspectral innovative optical sensor, PRISMA is able to acquire images of Earth surface to see the chemical and physical composition and provide information for several applications. PRISMA hyperspectral technology observes each object with its spectral signature, a real digital footprint: a unique combination of colours associated with each object, which reflects and absorbs solar light in specific bands of Visible spectrum and of near Infrared (NIR-SWIR).  

PRISMA, a satellite of the Italian Space Agency (ASI), represents an excellence deriving from the scientific and industrial ability of Italy to work as a team. PRISMA was developed by a Temporary Joint Venture of companies, led by OHB Italia, responsible for the mission and management of the three main segments (ground, flight and launch) and Leonardo, which built the electro-optical hyperspectral instrumentation in addition to on-board equipment such as solar panels and power supply unit. The launch took place aboard the ESA’s launcher designed and conceived in Italy: VEGA produced by AVIO. Telespazio (Leonardo 67%, Thales 33%) set up the mission control centre at Fucino Space Centre, while data acquisition and processing will take place at the ASI Matera Space Centre. 

"Leonardo's technology is at the heart of this mission: our hyperspectral camera, the most advanced and most powerful in the world, will equip Italy with the ability to study the Planet like never before” - said Alessandro Profumo, Chief Executive Officer of Leonardo. “Our Fucino Space Centre will follow the LEOP and in-orbit tests to guarantee the scientific community access to valuable data for sustainable development. Leonardo puts forth its best efforts to face this major challenge, with the energy, skills and dedication of women and men strongly committed to technological innovation".  

“The launch of PRISMA confirms OHB Italia system integrator capabilities; thanks to this mission, OHB Italia has acquired competences unique in Europe to develop future projects, already under study, which will make space closer to the citizens and to their needs,”  said Roberto Aceti CEO OHB Italia. 

“Vega VV14 flight,” states Giulio Ranzo, AVIO Managing Director, “represents an important step for the Italian space industry as it strengthens the capability of autonomous access to Space of Europe, in particular in low orbits where satellites of Earth observation operate. We are extremely proud to put our experience at the service of PRISMA mission, putting into evidence that Italy owns technological abilities in all segment of Space”. 

The satellite will be operational for 5 years and will make available to a national and international community of users images of great scientific interest. The data will provide a crucial contribution to the development of research as well as to the testing in many fields of Earth Observation applications: monitoring, the management of agriculture and natural resources, the control of pollution, and the study of climatic and environment changes (support to emergency management).  

Northrop Grumman Products from Across the Country Support ULA Delta IV Launch of WGS-10 Spacecraft

Northrop Grumman’s advanced technologies support communications improvements for US and Allied Forces

DULLES, Va. – March 15, 2019 – Northrop Grumman Corporation (NYSE: NOC) provided a wide array of innovative technologies for today’s successful launch and deployment of the 10th Wideband Global SATCOM (WGS-10) on a United Launch Alliance (ULA) Delta IV rocket from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, Florida.

Northrop Grumman provided a wide array of innovative technologies, including four GEM-60 solid rocket motors, for ULA’s Delta IV launch of WGS-10 on March 15.

“The successful Delta IV launch of the WGS-10 satellite, which is part of a larger system that provides critical communications capabilities for U.S. and allied forces worldwide, is a significant achievement for our team,” said Charlie Precourt, vice president, propulsion systems, Northrop Grumman. “This mission exemplifies the breadth of our capabilities to protect the warfighter by contributing key technologies on both the rocket and the satellite.”

For ULA’s Delta IV rocket, Northrop Grumman provided the RS-68A liquid engine nozzles, 60-inch diameter Graphite Epoxy Motors (GEM-60), 20 key lightweight composite structures ranging in size and complexity, the propellant tank for the upper stage roll control system and thermal protection material for the rocket.

Northrop Grumman’s contributions to the WGS-10 satellite includes producing loop heat pipes, standard heat pipes and payload pallet boom tubes.

Northrop Grumman facilities in Beltsville, Maryland; Clearfield, Magna and Promontory, Utah; Commerce and San Diego, California; and Iuka, Mississippi, all contributed to the effort.

Northrop Grumman’s Cygnus Spacecraft Successfully Concludes Mission to the International Space Station

Company’s 10th cargo supply mission featured expanded commercial capabilities for Cygnus spacecraft

Dulles, Va. – Feb. 25, 2019 – Northrop Grumman Corporation (NYSE: NOC) announced that the company successfully completed its 10th cargo supply mission to the International Space Station under NASA’s Commercial Resupply Services (CRS-1) contract.

From Feb. 8, 2019 when Northrop Grumman’s “S.S. John Young” Cygnus spacecraft left the International Space Station after delivering approximately 7,400 pounds of cargo to astronauts on board. The spacecraft successfully completed its tenth cargo supply mission to the International Space Station on Feb. 25. (Credit: NASA)

During the mission, the “S.S. John Young” Cygnus met the needs of multiple customers throughout this flight to the International Space Station. The spacecraft removed more than 5,500 pounds (2,500 kilograms) of disposal cargo from the space station.

After departure, the extended mission included the deployment of three CubeSats via the NanoRacks External Cygnus Deployer at two different altitudes and two CubeSats from the Slingshot CubeSat Deployer System. Slingshot, a new commercial customer for Cygnus, is a flexible platform that can fly hosted payloads and CubeSats. The spacecraft also operated a commercial powered payload for another new customer, UbiquitiLink, Inc. These innovative uses of Cygnus beyond the primary mission demonstrate expanded commercial opportunities enabled by partnerships built through the space station.  

“It was a flawless mission for Cygnus that further demonstrated its ability to operate as an in-orbit science platform and launch pad for deployment of commercial CubeSats on extended missions,” said Frank DeMauro, vice president and general manager, space systems, Northrop Grumman. “Now, we turn our attention to the next launch this spring where Cygnus will fly on an extended duration mission to further demonstrate its abilities as in-orbit test platform. These capabilities will showcase Cygnus as an evolving space vehicle that can build on the positive impact of the space station to grow new commercial partnerships.”

The mission officially concluded on Feb. 25 at 4:05 a.m. EST when Cygnus performed a safe, destructive re-entry into the Earth’s atmosphere over the Pacific Ocean east of New Zealand. The mission began Nov. 17, 2018, when Cygnus launched aboard a Northrop Grumman Antares™ rocket from NASA Wallops Flight Facility in Virginia. Upon arrival at the orbiting laboratory, Cygnus delivered approximately 7,400 pounds (3,350 kilograms) of cargo, supplies and scientific experiments to the astronauts. It remained docked for 81 days at the orbiting laboratory before departing the space station on Feb. 8.

The next Cygnus launch, known as the NG-11 mission, is currently scheduled in mid-April. This will be the final mission under Northrop Grumman’s CRS-1 contract with NASA before starting the CRS-2 contract missions in the fall of 2019.

Airbus: nuevas dimensiones para la construcción de satélites

Airbus pone en marcha el centro de tecnología espacial y de satélites más moderno de Europa

Friedrichshafen, 22 de febrero de 2019- La planta de Airbus en Friedrichshafen ha puesto oficialmente en marcha el centro de integración de satélites y tecnología espacial más moderno de Europa. El denominado Integrated Technology Centre (ITC) triplica la superficie dedicada a salas limpias para la construcción de satélites, sondas, instrumentos espaciales e instalaciones experimentales hasta los 4.200 m². La construcción de este centro altamente complejo ha supuesto una inversión de unos 45 millones de euros y se ha completado en tan solo dos años.

“La gran inversión de Airbus en este edificio es, a su vez, una inversión de futuro para la planta de Airbus a orillas del lago Constanza y para Baden-Württemberg como emplazamiento de centros dedicados al espacio. Desde Alemania vamos un paso por delante en el sector de la tecnología espacial, no sólo en cuanto a investigación, ciencia, desarrollo y tecnología, sino también debido a nuestro entusiasmo por el sector aeroespacial”, ha declarado Winfried Kretschmann, Presidente de la región de Baden-Württemberg. “Con este centro tecnológico, Airbus se adentra en una nueva era para desarrollar satélites aún mejores, que podrán desempeñar además misiones científicas. Los satélites son capaces de detectar con precisión los cambios en el nivel del mar e incluso registrar pequeñas fuentes de emisión de gases de efecto invernadero, por ejemplo. Gracias a estos satélites, se incrementa el conocimiento científico con el que poder hacer frente al cambio climático”.

“Las actividades espaciales han experimentado un desarrollo muy positivo en los últimos años. Además de las misiones científicas para explorar nuestro sistema solar y las principales leyes de la Física, como compañía dedicada al espacio deseamos responder a la demanda de satélites de observación de la Tierra, meteorológicos y de navegación en constante evolución, ofreciendo el más alto rendimiento y la mayor fiabilidad”, Nicolas Chamussy, Responsable de Space Systems en Airbus. “Gracias al nuevo centro dedicado a los satélites, la producción en la planta de Airbus en Friedrichshafen está posicionada de forma firme en cuanto a la calidad y al volumen que es capaz de ofrecer en comparación con nuestros competidores.”

El edificio ITC mide unos 70 x 60 metros, tiene una altura máxima de 18,50 metros y supone una ampliación de las actuales instalaciones de integración de satélites. El nuevo complejo “doble” permite desarrollar los proyectos de forma más eficiente y económica, ya que cuenta con la más moderna tecnología y ofrece “nuevas dimensiones” para asumir nuevos proyectos, como los grandes telescopios espaciales.

El corazón del ITC es la gran sala blanca. La integración final de los satélites tiene lugar en distintas condiciones de salas limpias –desde ISO 8 a ISO 5– en una superficie de unos 2.100 m², de los que 400 funcionan según los requisitos de la norma ISO 5. Los complejos sistemas de aire acondicionado y filtrado hacen circular un volumen de aire de 900.000 m³ hasta 60 veces por hora, lo que garantiza no sólo el ambiente limpio necesario, sino también el mantenimiento constante de una presión del aire más elevada, el control de la humedad y la temperatura. Cuatro bloques sísmicos, que pesan 150 toneladas cada uno, aíslan las mesas especiales de integración del propio edificio y garantizan un ambiente totalmente libre de vibraciones para el montaje de instrumentos ópticos. Un sistema de ventilación y filtrado controlado por ordenador situado en el lado sur de la sala limpia permite crear perfiles de flujo de aire diferentes para adaptarse al grado de ocupación de la sala. Este concepto consigue que se pueda disponer, por primera vez en Europa, de diferentes clases de salas limpias en un solo espacio sin requerir paredes o cortinas separadoras, que puedan entorpecer las tareas.

Desde las salas de supervisión que se encuentran directamente anexas, los empleados pueden controlar un gran número de funciones sin tener que entrar ellos mismos en la sala limpia. Todos los sistemas informáticos se alojan en sus propios bastidores, que cuentan con climatización y aislamiento acústico.

Las dos alas laterales del ITC albergan otros 1.100 m² con salas de integración y laboratorios para la fabricación de componentes, así como otras para trabajos técnicos. En la primera planta del ala oeste del edificio se encuentran un área de conferencias y una sala multifunción para demostraciones e información. Los grandes ventanales panorámicos permiten una vista única de la producción del hardware de vuelo.

En la actualidad se han trasladado al nuevo centro los primeros proyectos: cuatro satélites Sentinel para el programa europeo de medio ambiente y seguridad Copernicus, el satélite de observación de la Tierra europeo-japonés EarthCARE y dos antenas planares de radar de 12,30 metros de longitud cada una. Durante la primera mitad del año comenzarán la tarea de integración de JUICE, una misión a las lunas heladas de Júpiter que tiene previsto su lanzamiento a principios de 2022.

Northrop Grumman Completes Next Critical Launch Milestones of NASA’s James Webb Space Telescope Spacecraft

REDONDO BEACH, Calif. – Feb. 8, 2019 – NASA’s James Webb Space Telescope Spacecraft Element (SCE) successfully completed acoustic and sine vibration testing at Northrop Grumman Corporation (NYSE: NOC) in Redondo Beach.

Both halves of NASA’s James Webb Space Telescope are housed in Northrop Grumman’s cleanroom as they undergo ongoing testing and integration efforts.

Acoustic and sine vibration testing validates the structural design and verifies the mechanical workmanship and integrity of the actual flight SCE by subjecting it to simulated rigors of the launch environment.

“Mission success remains our focus for Webb, a first of its kind space telescope,” said Scott Willoughby, vice president and program manager, James Webb Space Telescope, Northrop Grumman. “Successful environmental testing of the SCE builds further confidence in its structural design integrity, built to withstand the stresses of launch.”

NASA’s James Webb Space Telescope Spacecraft Element during vibration testing at Northrop’s facility, in Redondo Beach, California.

The SCE was subjected to acoustic noise levels of 140.7 decibels (damage to hearing starts at 85dB while speakers at a concert can be as loud as 120dB or more), which simulated the high noise levels generated from rocket engines and turbulent air flow at high Mach speeds during launch. Vibration testing simulates the vibration and shaking Webb will experience during launch. During testing, the SCE was attached to a large electrodynamic shaker, vibrating it along three orthogonal axes. This back-and-forth or “sinusoidal” vibration was applied by starting at a low, subsonic frequency of 5 hertz (cycles per second) and “sweeping” up to a medium frequency of 100 hertz in the course of just over one minute. Ultimately, the SCE was subjected to protoflight vibration levels required to simulate a rocket launch experience. Testing on the ground assures that Webb can successfully withstand the rigors of its journey to space.

The completion of acoustic and sine vibration testing advances Webb’s SCE to its final environmental test, thermal vacuum testing. Post thermal vacuum testing, Webb will return to Northrop’s clean room for full deployment and integration of the Optical Telescope Element/Integrated Science Instrument Module later this year.

 The James Webb Space Telescope will be the world’s premier space science observatory of the next decade. Webb will solve mysteries of our solar system, look to distant worlds around other stars, and probe the mysterious structures and the origins of our universe. Webb is an international program led by NASA with its partners, the European Space Agency and the Canadian Space Agency.

NASA’s James Webb Space Telescope on its way to acoustics testing at Northrop’s large acoustic test facility in Redondo Beach, California.

Team members from NASA and Northrop Grumman observing NASA’s James Webb Space Telescope Spacecraft Element being placed at Northrop’s large acoustic test facility, in Redondo Beach, California, in preparation for acoustics testing.