On Saturday, December 21 SpaceX launched the Bandwagon-2 mission, a dedicated rideshare mission that included three satellites developed by Toronto based Space Flight Laboratory (SFL).
The launch, from Vandenberg Space Force Base in California, delivered 30 payloads to mid-inclination orbits. The payloads included the HawkEye 360 Cluster 11 of three satellites developed by SFL as part of their Flex Production Program. The satellites were integrated by HawkEye 360 at its Virginia facility.
The company provides customers the choice of 4 Levels of Flex Production:
- Production Max — Builds first satellite and transfers satellite production to Customer
- Production Essential — Builds first satellite and all satellites after
- Production Plus — Builds first satellite and mass produces the rest with a partner
- Production Assist — Builds first satellite and transfers platform-payload integration to Customer
HawkEye 360 used the Flex Production Program for Clusters 7, 8, 10, and 11. With this launch, SFL has now developed 33 satellites for HawkEye 360.
In a news release, Space Flight Laboratory said, “For HawkEye 360 Pathfinder, Clusters 2-6 and 9, SFL handled the entire development process including integration and testing at its Toronto facility. SFL is currently developing Cluster 12 with technology updates in Canada as well. HawkEye 360 conducted integration of the RF signal detection payload with the 30-kg SFL DEFIANT bus for Clusters 7, 8, 10, and 11 at its Virginia plant with technical guidance from SFL. Cluster 13 is now undergoing integration in Virginia.”
SFL Director Dr. Robert E. Zee added, “Flex Production enables NewSpace companies the opportunity to leverage SFL’s Microspace expertise while satisfying the aggressive financial requirements of their business models.”
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