David E. Steitz
Headquarters, Washington
202-358-1730
david.steitz@nasa.gov
Wendy Lewis
Space Systems/Loral
650-852-5188
lewisw@ssd.loral.com
CONTRACT RELEASE: C12-107
NASA AWARDS LORAL CONTRACT FOR LASER COMM PAYLOAD FLIGHT
WASHINGTON -- NASA's Space Technology Program has awarded Space
System/Loral of Palo Alto, Calif., a $3 million contract to initiate
the process of hosting a space laser communications relay
demonstration terminal payload aboard a Loral commercial satellite,
which launches in 2016. The agreement marks the first time NASA has
contracted to fly a payload on an American-manufactured commercial
communications satellite.
NASA's technology demonstration payload will be stationed high above
the equator aboard the Loral spacecraft. This is a prime location to
conduct communications experiments with other orbiting satellites or
ground stations. Commercial communications satellites offer the
location, size and power systems needed to conduct NASA's space laser
communications trials.
"Using a commercial communications satellite to host a NASA technology
demonstration payload provides an opportunity to partner with
American industry for the agency to gain access to space faster and
at a lower cost than developing and launching dedicated satellites,"
said Michael Gazarik, director of NASA's Space Technology Program in
Washington. "Once deep space laser communications is operational, it
will be like going from home dial-up Internet service to broadband."
Space laser communications has the potential to provide 100 times
higher data rates than traditional radio frequency with much less
mass and power, which can be constraints when designing satellites.
"We are excited to be a part of this mission, which is particularly
interesting because of the great potential for laser communications
to revolutionize space exploration as well as the commercial
satellite industry," said John Celli, president of Space
Systems/Loral.
Under this contract, Loral will work with NASA to determine the
technical requirements for the space communications laser
demonstration payload planned to be integrated with a Loral satellite
platform.
The Laser Communications Relay Demonstration mission is one of several
crosscutting flight demonstrations that NASA selected for development
in 2011 because of its potential to provide tangible, near-term
products and infuse high-impact capabilities into NASA's future space
operations missions.
By investing in high-payoff, disruptive technology that industry does
not have today, NASA matures the technology required for its future
missions while proving the capabilities and lowering the cost of
government and commercial space activities.
The Laser Communications Relay Demonstration project is part of the
agency's Technology Demonstrations Missions Program, which matures
crosscutting technology to flight readiness status through relevant
environment testing, including testing in space. The primary
objective of the Technology Demonstrations Missions are to "bridge
the technology gap," by maturing system-level space technologies
through flight readiness and mission infusion.
For more information about NASA's Space Technology Program and the
Laser Communications Relay Demonstration project, visit:
For more information about Space Systems/Loral, visit:
-end-
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