Raytheon Intelligence and Space has completed Thermal Vacuum Testing of its sensor payload for the U.S. Space Force's Next-Generation Overhead Persistent Infrared, or Next-Gen OPIR GEO, Block 0 missile warning satellites designed and built by spacecraft prime contractor Lockheed Martin. Testing was completed on Jan. 27, 2022.

"Space is a dynamic environment. Ensuring our instruments are prepared for challenges is paramount to our success," said Kristin Robertson, president of Space and C2 for RI&S. "We're pulling from our deep bench of technological expertise to support the urgent need for space-based early warning of existing and advanced strategic missile threats."

Thermal vacuum testing is designed to expose the payload to a space-like environment. The test provides necessary data required for model correlation to support multiple program milestones such as flight hardware manufacturing, test, and payload delivery.

In addition to TVAC, the RI&S team used a tabletop thermal vacuum chamber to complete early design validation of the key optical components to its payload in time to support the payload critical design review (CDR) held in July of 2021.

Using digital engineering, model correlation data from thermal vacuum testing is used in a simulation environment, allowing engineers to demonstrate performance across all mission threads from design, to launch, to post-delivery support. This type of agile development can offer rapid and iterative design insights while modeling evolutionary payload upgrade capabilities to meet future threats and mission requirements. Digital engineering can also save elements of non-recurring engineering costs on programs.

"Advanced threats require advanced solutions," said Robertson. "And we're looking at all the ways we can leverage high Technology Readiness Level components and sensor programs already in production to ensure we meet the critical mission requirements."

Designed to provide more resilient missile warning, Next-Gen OPIR GEO Block 0 was implemented by the Department of the Air Force as a "Go Fast" acquisition program. Lockheed Martin Space selected RI&S as one of two teams to design a viable sensor payload for the program. The first geostationary-orbiting satellite is targeted for launch in 2025.

The RI&S sensor payload is being built in El Segundo, California.

Related Links
Raytheon Intelligence and Space
Read the latest in Military Space Communications Technology at SpaceWar.com

Tweet

Thanks for being here; We need your help. The Space Media Network continues to grow but revenues have never been harder to maintain. With the rise of Ad Blockers, and Facebook - our traditional revenue sources via quality network advertising continues to decline. And unlike so many other news sites, we don't have a paywall - with those annoying usernames and passwords. Our news coverage takes time and effort to publish 365 days a year. If you find our news sites informative and useful then please consider becoming a regular supporter or for now make a one off contribution.
SpaceMediaNetwork Contributor $5 Billed Once credit card or paypal		SpaceMediaNetwork Monthly Supporter $5 Billed Monthly paypal only

Northrop Grumman and Kratos Demonstration Brings JADC2 Connectivity to Life
San Diego CA (SPX) Feb 09, 2022
Northrop Grumman has demonstrated open architecture communications capabilities that will help the Department of Defense (DOD) realize its vision of information advantage and decision superiority for Joint All Domain Command and Control (JADC2). In two recent U.S. Air Force demonstrations, Northrop Grumman partnered with Kratos Defense and Security Solutions, Inc. to showcase how its Software Programmable Open Mission System Compliant (SPOC) solution can successfully operate simultaneous waveforms ... read more