The satellite will launch from Kennedy Space Center with Artemis I
LunIR is fully integrated within the Orion Stage Adapter aboard NASA’s Space Launch System (Image Credit: NASA)
BOCA RATON, Fla. (Terran Orbital Corporation PR) — Terran Orbital Corporation (NYSE: LLAP), a global leader in satellite solutions, primarily serving the United States and Allied aerospace and defense industries, integrated the Lunar Infrared imaging spacecraft, also known as LunIR into NASA’s Space Launch System (SLS). With its unprecedented power and capabilities, SLS is the only rocket that will be able to send the Orion capsule, astronauts, and cargo directly to the Moon on a single mission. LunIR will fly by the Moon and collect surface thermography as a secondary payload on Artemis 1 – a test mission for SLS. After the flyby, the 6U satellite will conduct technology demonstrations related to deep-space operations for future Mars missions.
The Space Launch System rocket fairing with ESA and NASA logos on the launchpad at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida, USA. The new ESA logo and NASA’s ‘worm’ logo will be along for the ride on the first full mission of the powerful Space Launch System (SLS) rocket and Orion spacecraft. (Credit: NASA)
by Douglas Messier Managing Editor
Of the six launches known to be scheduled to close out August, there’s only one – Artemis I — that truly matters in any real sense. The others will be duly recorded but little remembered in what could be the busiest launch year in human history.
Artemis I rocket rolls out to the launch pad for a wet dress rehearsal on June 6, 2022. (Credit: NASA)
The Wikipedia orbital launch page lists six launches to close out August. The big one, of course, is NASA’s Artemis I mission next Monday. The others, not so momentous but still worth listing.
Disclaimer: This schedule is subject to change without notice. Parabolic Arc takes no responsibility for delays, changes, additions or what have you. And, as always, no wagering.
Tuesday, August 23
Launch Vehicle: Long March 11 Launch Site: Xichang Satellite Launch Center Launch Company: China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation (CASC) Payload: TBA
Wednesday, August 24
Launch Vehicle: Long March 2D Launch Site: Taiyuan Xichang Satellite Launch Center Launch Company: CASC Payload: TBA
Saturday, August 27
Launch Vehicle: Falcon 9 Launch Site: Vandenberg Space Force Base Launch Company: SpaceX Payloads: 46 Starlink broadband satellites Webcast: www.spacex.com
Sunday, August 28
Launch Vehicle: Falcon 9 Launch Site: Cape Canaveral Space Force Station Launch Company: SpaceX Payloads: 53 Starlink broadband satellites Webcast: www.spacex.com
Monday, August 29
Launch Vehicle: Space Launch System Block 1 Launch Site: Kennedy LC-39B Launch Window: 8:33-10:33 a.m. EDT (12:33-14:33 UTC) Launching Agency: NASA Payloads: Orion spacecraft and 10 secondary payloads Webcast: www.nasa.gov
Artemis I Secondary Payloads
Satellite
Organization
Orbit
Purpose
ArgoMoon
Italian Space Agency
Heliocentric
Spacecraft will demonstrate capacity of CubeSats to conduct precise maneuvers in deep space by providing detailed images of the SLS’s Interim Cryogenic Propulsion Stage
BioSentinel
NASA
Heliocentric
Spacecraft will use budding yeast to detect, measure, and compare the impact of deep space radiation on DNA repair
CuSP
NASA
Heliocentric
Space weather measurements
EQUULEUS
University of Tokyo
Earth-moon L2
6U CubeSat will measure the distribution of plasma around Earth
LunaH-Map
NASA
Selenocentric
Lunar polar orbiter will search for evidence of frozen water deposits
Lunar IceCube
NASA
Selenocentric
Lunar orbiter will search for frozen water deposits
LunIR
Lockheed Martin Space
Heliocentric
Demonstration technology to collect surface spectroscopy and thermography
Near-Earth Asteroid Scout
NASA
Heliocentric
Technology demonstration of solar sail to rendezvous with asteroid
Artemis 1 will launch from Complex 39B at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center
LunIR is a 6U satellite that will fly by the Moon and collect surface thermography as a secondary payload on Artemis 1 (Image Credit: Terran Orbital Corporation)
BOCA RATON, Fla. (Terran Orbital Corporation PR) — Terran Orbital Corporation (NYSE: LLAP), a global leader in satellite solutions, primarily serving the United States and Allied aerospace and defense industries, has delivered LunIR to Complex 39B at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center. LunIR is a 6U satellite that will fly by the Moon and collect surface thermography as a secondary payload on Artemis 1 – a test mission for NASA’s Space Launch System (SLS). Offering more payload mass, volume capability, and energy, SLS, the world’s most powerful rocket to date, can carry more payload to deep space than any other vehicle. SLS also houses the Orion capsule – NASA’s spacecraft that will take humans deep into space. After the flyby, LunIR will conduct technology demonstrations related to deep-space operations.
BOCA RATON, Fla., March 28, 2022 – Terran Orbital Corporation (NYSE: LLAP) (“Terran Orbital” or the “Company”), a leading small satellite manufacturer primarily serving the United States aerospace and defense industry, announced that its common stock and warrants will begin trading on the New York Stock Exchange today, March 28, 2022, under the ticker symbols “LLAP” and “LLAP WS”, respectively.
Terran Orbital has made significant progress over recent months as it prepared to emerge as a public company. Some of the Company’s recent accomplishments include:
Image Credit: NASA/Goddard/Arizona State University
WASHINGTON, DC (NASA PR) — NASA is focused on an ambitious plan to advance the nation’s space program by increasing science activities near and on the Moon and ultimately returning humans to the surface.
As part of the President’s fiscal year 2019 budget proposal, NASA is planning a new Moon-focused exploration campaign that starts with a series of progressive commercial robotic missions.
Image Credit: NASA/Goddard/Arizona State University
Statement of Jason Crusan Director, Advanced Exploration Systems Division Human Exploration and Operations Mission Directorate National Aeronautics and Space Administration
before the
Subcommittee on Space Committee on Science, Space, and Technology U. S. House of Representatives
SELECTED EXCERPTS
Lunar CATALYST: Promoting Private Sector Robotic Exploration of the Moon
As part of the Agency’s overall strategy to conduct deep space exploration, NASA is also supporting the development of commercial lunar exploration. In 2014, NASA introduced an initiative called Lunar Cargo Transportation and Landing by Soft Touchdown (CATALYST). The purpose of the initiative is to encourage the development of U.S. private-sector robotic lunar landers capable of successfully delivering payloads to the lunar surface using U.S. commercial launch capabilities.
