Standard of Excellence: Collaboration—The Right Path to Innovation
Global Sourcing Spotlight: Golf, Friedman, and the Benefits of Global Sourcing
Nolan’s Notes: Coming to Terms With AISierra Space Solar Panels Providing Power for LizzieSat in Low Earth Orbit
March 21, 2024 | BUSINESS WIREEstimated reading time: 1 minute
Sierra Space, a leading commercial space company and emerging defense tech prime building a platform in space to benefit and protect life on Earth, has achieved yet another milestone in space technology by providing the cutting-edge solar technology that powers Sidus Space’s first LizzieSat satellite, which successfully launched and deployed to Low Earth Orbit on March 4 as part of SpaceX’s Transporter-10 Rideshare mission.
Sierra Space provided a full shipset of eight deployable solar panels and one top plate to Sidus Space in an extraordinary feat of efficiency, delivering the hardware well ahead of schedule and completing the entire process from contract signing to hardware delivery in just 49 days.
The remarkable accomplishment underscores Sierra Space’s commitment to excellence and innovation in the commercial space industry. The solar panel shipset, tailored to LizzieSat’s unique specifications, included Sierra Space’s proprietary high-density cells mounted onto substrates meticulously crafted by Sierra Space engineers.
“Prior to shipment, rigorous testing ensured the functionality and readiness of the hardware for installation on LizzieSat,” said Rusty Thomas, Chief Technology Officer and SVP/GM of Space Applications at Sierra Space. “The successful collaboration between Sierra Space and Sidus Space exemplifies the spirit of innovation and partnership that drives our industry forward. We had a dedicated working group that swiftly addressed technical performance, cost, schedule and risk factors. This ensured a seamless process from order to delivery in just seven weeks.”
Sierra Space is utilizing high volume electronics manufacturing techniques for automated production of solar arrays using surface-mount-compatible solar cells. The arrays provide higher power density, reduced lead times and unparalleled resilience compared with conventional solar cell technologies. The company performed all tasks at its state-of-the-art facilities in Louisville, CO, and ensured the safe transport of the hardware to Sidus Space’s facility in Cape Canaveral, FL.
Sidus Space recently announced that it received signals from its satellite following the launch. The new satellite is positioned to revolutionize space-based data collection and analysis with its innovative Space Platform with a Purpose™ and FeatherEdge AI integration. The mission aims to broaden Sidus Space’s customer base across military and commercial sectors, offering tailored intelligence solutions for industries such as defense, agriculture, maritime and oil and gas.
Share on:
Suggested Items
Airbus Achieves Eurodrone’s Preliminary Design Review
05/16/2024 | AirbusThe Eurodrone programme has successfully performed the Preliminary Design Review (PDR). Led by Airbus Defence and Space as prime contractor, this major programme milestone has been completed with OCCAR and representatives of the four customer nations (France, Germany, Italy and Spain) in the presence of the three Major Sub-Contractors (MSC), Airbus Defence and Space Spain, Dassault Aviation and Leonardo.
Do You Think Enough About Ergonomics?
05/15/2024 | Barry Matties, I-Connect007Vitorio Lorenzini, a workstation design expert with Assembled Product Specialists, discusses the importance of ergonomics in the workplace. He emphasizes the value of early involvement in workstation planning to optimize space and resources, ultimately enhancing workflow efficiency.
ispace EUROPE, CDS Sign Payload Service Agreement to Transport Precise Location Measurement Technology to the Moon
05/14/2024 | BUSINESS WIREispace EUROPE S.A., the Luxembourg-based subsidiary of ispace, inc., and Control Data Systems SRL (CDS) have signed a payload services agreement to transport precise location measurement equipment to the Moon, the two companies announced.
Redwire Announces Development of New European-Built Very Low Earth Orbit (VLEO) Spacecraft Platform called Phantom
05/13/2024 | BUSINESS WIRERedwire Corporation, a leader in space infrastructure for the next generation space economy, announced Phantom, a new European Very Low Earth Orbit (VLEO) spacecraft platform.
Space Tech Startup Xona Raises $19M Series A for its Cutting-Edge Satellite Navigation Service
05/08/2024 | PRNewswireXona - a company developing a network of small satellites to provide high-precision navigation services - announced an oversubscribed $19 million Series A funding round led by Future Ventures and Seraphim Space. New investors NGP Capital, Industrious Ventures, Murata Electronics, Space Capital, and Aloniq also joined the round.