Lockheed Martin upgrades A2100 satellite platform

Lockheed Martin has upgraded its A2100 family of satellites in line with efforts to reduce costs and accelerate delivery timelines.

The A2100 satellites are designed to offer broadband, mobile and military communications, as well as GPS services.

Built using Lockheed Martin’s ‘digital tapestry’ process, the revamped A2100 offers flexible electrical power and various propulsion options, including electric, chemical and hybrid systems as well as a range of payload capabilities.

The digital tapestry process is a virtual production process featuring additive manufacturing to accelerate and streamline design, production, final assembly and testing.

Using a side-by-side dual configuration, two A2100 satellites can now be launched on-board a single rocket thereby lowering costs without comprising payload capability, the company said.

Lockheed Martin said that side-by-side launch accommodates large earth-facing antennas on-board each satellite and the approach is enabled by flexible solar arrays.

With the reprogrammable mission processor users will be able to modify payload configurations and performance in-orbit, as well as adjust satellite-to-ground communication, and suppress interference.

Lockheed Martin Commercial Space vice-president and general manager Mike Hamel said: "Our A2100 side-by-side dual launch will give each satellite equal configuration flexibility, while reducing overall launch mass and cost, these features bring new options, flexibility and customer benefits to the most reliable satellite platform on the market today."

Currently there are more than 40 A2100 satellites in operation.

The A2100 fleet also serves as a common platform for various satellites, including the Advanced Extremely High Frequency, Mobile User Objective System, Geostationary Operational Environmental Satellite Series-R and GPS III.

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Image: The revamped A2100 offers flexible electrical power and various propulsion options. Photo: courtesy of Lockheed Martin.