SpaceX launches Terran Orbital's Pathfinder-R and Pathfinder-4 satellites

Written by Copernical Team Saturday, 17 August 2024 22:03

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Los Angeles CA (SPX) Aug 16, 2024

Terran Orbital Corporation (NYSE: LLAP), a leading provider of satellite-based solutions for the aerospace and defense sectors, has successfully launched its Pathfinder-R (PTD-R) and Pathfinder-4 (PTD-4) spacecraft. These 6U Triumph class space vehicles were launched aboard SpaceX's Transporter-11 Rideshare mission from Vandenberg Space Force Base in California on August 16. Both spacecraft are

SpaceX launches Terran Orbital's Pathfinder-R and Pathfinder-4 satellites
by Clarence Oxford
Los Angeles CA (SPX) Aug 16, 2024

Terran Orbital Corporation (NYSE: LLAP), a leading provider of satellite-based solutions for the aerospace and defense sectors, has successfully launched its Pathfinder-R (PTD-R) and Pathfinder-4 (PTD-4) spacecraft. These 6U Triumph class space vehicles were launched aboard SpaceX's Transporter-11 Rideshare mission from Vandenberg Space Force Base in California on August 16. Both spacecraft are part of NASA's Pathfinder Technology Demonstrator (PTD) series, which is designed to test and validate various technologies in low-Earth orbit.

The PTD missions are focused on proving new subsystem technologies that can be scaled for future scientific and exploration missions. Terran Orbital's Triumph spacecraft bus, coupled with its advanced MK II avionics platform, is the foundation for these Pathfinder missions. Following the successful launch, Marc Bell, Co-Founder, Chairman, and Chief Executive Officer of Terran Orbital, remarked, "Entrusted with the entirety of this mission series, we at Terran Orbital stand poised to not only meet but also exceed the expectations set before us, as we forge ahead into the cosmos."

The PTD-4 spacecraft is now in orbit and will begin testing a new solar panel system developed by NASA's Marshall Space Flight Center. This lightweight system, known as LISA-T, is designed to unfold in space, revealing a large solar panel equipped with an integrated antenna. The mission will evaluate the deployment of the solar panel, power generation capabilities, and antenna performance in space.

The PTD-R spacecraft, which also reached its intended orbit, carries the Deep Purple payload from Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory. This payload includes two monolithic telescopes-one for ultraviolet (UV) imaging and another for visible/shortwave infrared (VIS/SWIR) imaging-along with a compact electronics module, and a lightweight carbon-composite optical housing and radiator. The PTD-R mission will focus on observing UV and SWIR light from high-UV stars and the Milky Way's galactic bulge, as well as demonstrating capabilities in space domain awareness.

SEOPS, a rideshare services provider, managed the mission integration and provided support for the successful deployment of both payloads.