Northrop Grumman [NOC] said that it has recently completed on schedule the preliminary design review (PDR) for its modular space vehicle (MSV), bringing it to the critical design review stage and closer to manufacturing.
The MSV is being developed and manufactured as a rapid response space initiative for combatant commanders, the company added in a press release. The review determines the system’s compatibility with performance, technical requirements and system specifications.
Northrop Grumman is working with teammates ATA and DesignNet Engineering.
A successful PDR is essential to fulfilling the NASA Ames contract, which supports the Department of Defense (DoD) Operationally Responsive Space (ORS) office at Kirtland Air Force Base, N.M., according to the press release.
“Successful completion of the PDR is a significant milestone validating our design and confirming the Northrop Grumman-led team’s proven capabilities and commitment to delivering an innovative and affordable MSV, on schedule and on budget,” said Steve Hixson, vice president, Advanced Concepts -Space and Directed Energy Systems, Northrop Grumman Aerospace Systems. “We are proud of the team’s progress since the program kick off last December and we are clearly focused on supporting the ORS program office vision to provide innovative operationally responsive space assets to support the Joint Force.”
Rick Hayner, Northrop Grumman’s MSV program manager, noted that the MSV is a multimission spacecraft bus employing a modular approach using open network space plug-and-play avionics architecture technology, to allow for rapid manufacturing, integration and test.