The initial 8 minutes of a launch are pivotal, demanding sophisticated computer systems to manage the launch vehicle through powered flight to adhere to precise trajectories aimed at Earth's orbit or further to the Moon or Mars. The NASA Space Shuttle, for example, took about 8.5 minutes to reach orbit, compared to Artemis 1's 8 minutes and 20 seconds to 162 km altitude.
These critical minutes involve millions of calculations to ensure the vehicle's integrity, consistent engine firing, and accurate data capture for overseeing the launch. The Launch Vehicle Phoenix Flight Computer offers a modular, scalable, and ruggedized solution applicable across various spacecraft settings. It controls guidance, navigation, engine operation, attitude, mission data network, instrumentation, and monitors vehicle health.
Post-engine burn, as the vehicle proceeds to later flight stages and jettisons unnecessary payloads, L3Harris's systems remain active through spacecraft separation, maintaining precise navigation and robust data collection. These systems are built to withstand the severe conditions of space, ensuring stable and reliable operations.
For vehicles in Low Earth Orbit (LEO) or docking with the International Space Station, L3Harris supports the NASA C2V2 program, providing standardized communication with the ISS for all stages of docking and operations.
L3Harris's legacy includes supporting every U.S. Mars rover and orbiting mission for the past 20 years with transceivers like the Electra-Lite on the Perseverance lander and orbiter.
Related Links
Launch Vehicle Phoenix Flight Computer at L3Harris
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