The US Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) has awarded a contract to Maxar Technologies’ subsidiary Radiant Solutions to support small optical satellite constellations.

Under the $2m contract, the company will lead a team for the design, development and demonstration of a next-generation optical satellite telescope system for agile small satellite constellations.

Go deeper with GlobalData

Data Insights

The gold standard of business intelligence.

Find out more

The project will be carried out by Radiant Solutions in partnership with Maxar Technologies’ spacecraft manufacturing business, SSL.

The two companies will combine their capabilities in order to meet the demand of the US Defense and Intelligence agency for small form-factor satellites.

Radiant Solutions president Tony Frazier said: “Radiant Solutions is proud to play a major role in the development of disruptive, next-generation technologies that will transform satellite imaging missions and enhance global mapping and intelligence at scale.

“Radiant Solutions will provide DARPA with geospatial mission engineering expertise, which is supported and enhanced by SSL’s experience in powerful spacecraft systems.”

“With our team’s extensive experience in highly specialised geospatial systems, we’re uniquely positioned to accelerate the evolution of the Department of Defense’s (DoD) most critical imaging infrastructure.”

How well do you really know your competitors?

Access the most comprehensive Company Profiles on the market, powered by GlobalData. Save hours of research. Gain competitive edge.

Company Profile – free sample

Thank you!

Your download email will arrive shortly

Not ready to buy yet? Download a free sample

We are confident about the unique quality of our Company Profiles. However, we want you to make the most beneficial decision for your business, so we offer a free sample that you can download by submitting the below form

By GlobalData
Visit our Privacy Policy for more information about our services, how we may use, process and share your personal data, including information of your rights in respect of your personal data and how you can unsubscribe from future marketing communications. Our services are intended for corporate subscribers and you warrant that the email address submitted is your corporate email address.

Through the agreement, Radiant Solutions will provide DARPA with geospatial mission engineering expertise, which is supported and enhanced by SSL’s experience in delivering powerful spacecraft systems.

The collaborative effort will enable national security customers to see, understand and anticipate activity across the planet in support of global mapping and intelligence missions.

SSL Government Systems president Richard White said: “SSL brings unmatched integrated spacecraft system capabilities to deliver effective and affordable end-to-end solutions that build a better world and support our nation’s leadership in space.

“We’re delighted to be working closely with our colleagues at Maxar Technologies to solve problems from space.”

The lightweight design and large field-of-view of the optical telescope system are expected to support the production of more capable small satellites.