Lockheed Martin will open a new development centre in Denver, US, to accelerate satellite sensing and communication technologies.

Named radio frequency (RF) payloads centre of excellence, the facility will reconfigure payloads and enhance satellite systems designed for high-definition television broadcasts to GPS transmissions and government communications.

The centre will house researchers, manufacturers and analysts in a single place, helping to improving schedules, reduce transportation costs and boost collaboration between related teams.

"Enabling communications so people can make effective decisions is at the core of what RF systems do."

It will partner with suppliers and research universities to develop various technologies incorporated in RF payloads, including antennas, arrays, and transmitters.

Lockheed Martin Space Systems executive vice-president Rick Ambrose said: "Enabling communications so people can make effective decisions is at the core of what RF systems do.

"Our new facility and network of experts position us to support these missions at high rates of production.

‘We will also be applying new technology to develop reconfigurable payloads in orbit, creating more capable and affordable RF systems than ever before."

With the new facility, the company will be able to recreate payload development processes using advanced technology research and streamlined manufacturing capabilities.

RF payload components play a key role in space missions and at least one Lockheed Martin-built RF subsystem is said to be installed in every spacecraft.