Sierra Nevada Corporation’s (SNC) first prototype spacecraft of the ORBCOMM Generation 2 constellation has successfully completed pre-ship review at the company’s Space Systems headquarters in Louisville, Colo. The satellite was shipped to the Cape Canaveral, Fla., launch site, where it is scheduled to be integrated as a secondary payload on the SpaceX Falcon 9 launch vehicle as part of the first Cargo Resupply Services (CRS) mission to the International Space Station.
The satellite’s deployment, after the Dragon capsule is released, will define it as the first secondary commercial payload launch on a CRS mission, fulfilling the potential of government and commercial missions to coexist in a single launch. The prototype satellite, currently scheduled to launch on October 7, 2012, is based on SNC’s SN-100 satellite bus, with capacity to launch highly capable optical, RF and science payloads. The SN-100 is specifically designed to be rapidly produced on SNC’s fleet satellite production line.
This spacecraft is the first of an 18 satellite constellation being designed, built and managed at SNC’s Louisville, Colo., facility. SNC successfully directed the development and integration of the complex communications payload, and assisted in the key roles of launch planning and mission operations. In preparation for launch, SNC has installed a state-of-the-art satellite operations center. The Louisville Satellite Operations Center will support essential communications with the satellite prior to launch and during early on-orbit checkout and operations.
About Sierra Nevada Corporation’s Space Systems
Sierra Nevada Corporation’s Space Systems business area headquartered in Louisville, Colorado, has more than 25 years of space heritage in space and has participated in over 400 successful space missions through the delivery of over 4,000 systems, subsystems and components. During its history, SNC Space Systems has concluded over 70 programs for NASA and over 50 other clients. For more information about SS visit www.sncspace.com.
About Sierra Nevada Corporation
Sierra Nevada Corporation (SNC) is one of America’s fastest growing private companies. Under the leadership of CEO Fatih Ozmen and Chairman and President Eren Ozmen, SNC employs over 2,100 people in 31 locations in 16 states. SNC’s six unique business areas are dedicated to providing leading-edge technology solutions to SNC’s customers. For more information visit www.sncorp.com.
Contact:
Sierra Nevada Corporation’s Space Systems
Krystal Scordo, 720-407-3192
media.ssg@sncorp.com
or
Sierra Nevada Corporation
Michelle Erlach, 775-331-0222
communicationsfromsnc@sncorp.com
