L3Harris Technologies [LHX] has launched a satellite that is the latest in a demonstration series of end-to-end small satellites for a classified U.S. Air Force constellation. A representative for the company said Monday that limited details about the launch can be provided because the program is classified.
L3Harris said in a Monday release that as the prime contractor for the firm fixed-price development space mission it is designing, developing, building, testing, and deploying the satellites. The company will task, command and control the satellite system, as well as perform on-board processing of data to deliver imagery products.
The Evolved Expendable Launch Vehicles Secondary Payload Adapter satellite system will use L3Harris’ reprogrammable payload platform, which is designed to allow operators to reconfigure smallsat payloads on orbit. The company’s High Compaction Ratio unfurlable X-band reflector is also on board to enable high-speed data communication.
“L3Harris has developed and supported various aspects of satellite missions over the last several decades as a component supplier or hosted payload,” said Ed Zoiss, president of L3Harris Space and Airborne Systems. “In collaboration with the U.S. Air Force, we pulled the pieces together to successfully plan, develop and execute an affordable, high-performance space mission, which is part of a responsive constellation contract.”
This article was originally published in our sister publication Via Satellite.