Ten Ways We Matured our LM 400 Technology

Lockheed Martin’s LM 400 technology demonstration satellite made incredible strides in game changing technologies and rapid processes despite the mission outcome.

Due to a rocket anomaly, the tech demo satellite, launched from Vandenberg Space Force Base, failed to reach orbit and instead landed in a remote area of the Pacific Ocean on April 29.

Despite the premature ending of a planned 30-day mission, we accomplished a lot towards maturing our LM 400 technology ─ from the process of designing, building, processing and launching this self-funded “tech demo” ─ before it even left the ground.

1)    Leveraged Innovation: Our Ignite organization, our company’s “Innovation Engine,” designed this LM 400 tech demo as a key pathfinder to help accelerate delivery of technology for our customers.

2)    Pathfinder for New Production Facility: For this first satellite of its kind, we demonstrated rapid assembly and testing of the LM 400 at Lockheed Martin’s Gateway Center. This state-of-the-art, multi-level security satellite production facility is where our LM 400 production line is based.

3)    Pre-Launch Processing of New Spacecraft Line: We successfully processed the first LM 400 satellite for launch - including fueling, battery charging and encapsulation operations. Ultimately, this was accomplished ahead of schedule and in 15 days instead of the usual 30-45 days. The Astrotech Space Operations team at Vandenberg did a fantastic job supporting the program.

4)    Furthering Assured Access to Space: We worked closely with a rising launch provider further broadening our access to space. While the LM 400 can utilize multiple launch vehicles, our demo mission further expanded that list.

5)    First Powered Payload for Firefly:  We trailblazed the first powered-on launch for Firefly including rapid installation of Electrical Ground Support Equipment (EGSE) at the pad, network connectivity validation and final flight configuration checks of the satellite within 36 hours of the first launch attempt.

6)    COSMIC Center Ready for Spacecraft Operations: Our team at Lockheed Martin’s Cloud-enabled, Operational Services and Multi-mission Integration Capability (COSMIC) center were prepped and ready to receive the satellite after launch. Once on orbit, COSMIC would have taken over operations, using our common suite of mission management and Command & Control products.

7)    Initiated Commercial Partnerships: We integrated Kongsberg Satellite Services (KSAT)’s commercial ground entry points around the world into Lockheed Martin’s COSMIC capability.

8)     Partnered to Advance Customer Objectives: Throughout the launch campaign we had the opportunity to work closely with the U.S. Space Force’s Space Safari team, sharing insights and gaining valuable customer perspective.

"The opportunity to be shoulder-to-shoulder with a commercial team executing the LM 400 demo spacecraft integration and launch campaign was extremely valuable for our Space Force team. Closely tracking the flexible and responsive solutions industry is creating is critical to providing the best to our nation's warfighters." said Major Cliff "Skipper" Johnson, U.S. Space Force.

9)    U.S. Space Force Cross-Organization Cooperation: The launch campaign provided a valuable opportunity to work with the Vandenberg Space Force Base stakeholders to continue advancing the incorporation of commercial missions into our government’s infrastructure.

10)   Demonstrated Operational Flexibility: This mission was a pathfinder from beginning to end, including the adaptation required to manage through the challenging range restrictions of a commercial launch during a high operations tempo window at Vandenberg. The satellite launch team was on-call and ready for 45 days, showcasing what a responsive space operation can look like.

“We’re going fast, but taking calculated risks -- that’s why we do these self-funded demos.” Schrader continued. “We’ll take lessons learned from this space vehicle and apply them to all our future LM 400 satellites. We already have another LM 400 tech demo in production that will further validate the satellite’s performance on orbit soon.”

As a platform, Lockheed Martin’s LM 400 is the company’s flexible mid-size bus, capable of serving military, commercial or civil customers. Digitally designed, the space vehicle can be tailored for a variety of missions and high-power payloads, including remote sensing, communications, imaging and radar and is ideal for solo or constellation missions at low, medium or geosynchronous Earth orbit.

Several LM 400s are currently under contract.