Lockheed Martin has completed the development of the propulsion subsystem for the first satellite built on its modernised A2100 platform.
A hybrid of electrical and liquid technology, the propulsion subsystem was manufactured at Lockheed Martin’s facility in Stennis, Mississippi, US.
Following its construction, the system was shipped to Denver, Colorado, for assembly and integration into the larger spacecraft.
An integral part of the spacecraft, the subsystem helps to raise the satellite into orbit after launch and keeps it on station throughout its mission life.
The system features a design that uses flight-proven Hall Current Thrusters and modernised chemical thrusters to provide a flexible and low-risk approach for improved capability, resilience and reliability.
The design has also reduced part counts, production time and cost of the subsystem.
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By GlobalDataLockheed Martin commercial civil space vice-president and general manager Lisa Callahan said: “This delivery marks another milestone in bringing the modernised A2100 into orbit.
“Now that we’re in final assembly, you can truly see our investment in the modernisation programme paying off for a variety of mission users.”
Lockheed Martin further noted that its new propulsion system would be used in the Hellas-Sat-4/SaudiGeoSat-1 satellite for Arabsat and King Abdulaziz City for Science and Technology in Saudi Arabia.
Expected to be launched by next year, the satellite will provide advanced telecommunications services, including television, internet, telephone and secure communications, to customers in the Middle East, Africa and Europe.
Lockheed Martin is currently building five modernised A2100 satellites for a range of missions and customers worldwide.
