EL
SEGUNDO, Calif., April 13,
2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Since launching Tetra-1
November 1, 2022, Millennium Space
Systems, a Boeing (NYSE: BA) company partnered with the U.S. Space
Force's Space Systems Command successfully deployed the vehicle
from its host, initialized all components and subsystems and
performed systems check out. Tetra-1 is healthy and ready for
mission operations.
![Tetra-1 is healthy and ready for mission operations. Tetra-1 is healthy and ready for mission operations.](https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2053076/Tetra_1.jpg)
"Tetra-1 has helped us learn about small satellites' potential
to operate in super GEO," said Capt JeanCarlo Vasquez, Tetra-1
deputy program manager at SSC. "Due to Tetra-1's maneuverability,
it has enabled us to experiment and train with various tactics,
techniques, and procedures. Thus, allowing our program office and
operators to identify what roles small satellites can potentially
play in future USSF Missions. Furthermore, Tetra-1's robustness
permitted SSC to work with Space Delta 11 in Space Training and
Readiness Command and perform maneuvers dedicated solely to a live
on orbit training campaign, known as 'Scarlet Star.'"
SSC is now assuming full spacecraft operations, using the
procedures developed jointly with Millennium Space Systems.
"We developed new operations tools to ease the planning for
actions like station changes and planning and executing on-orbit
maneuvering," said Mike Todaro, vice
president of Mission Operations & Integration at Millennium
Space Systems. "This is particularly important for super GEO, where
if you're not mission capable, you're considered in the
graveyard."
Super GEO is new ground for small satellites, with known and
unknown challenges operating so far away – about 38,000 km from
Earth.
"When Guardians work on Tetra-1, they'll learn new ways of doing
things that were previously done on much larger satellites," said
Todaro. "Because Tetra-1 is smaller, more agile and maneuverable,
you have different options. It's like the difference between
maneuvering a speed boat versus a cruise ship."
The experience Tetra-1 provides is critical to space operators
understanding how to manage a small satellite. An example is
operating during eclipse season.
"Actions for what you want the satellite to do are taken more
deliberately because it has a smaller power system," said Todaro.
"And operators must manage consumables differently compared to a
larger satellite, all of which requires training beyond just having
classroom knowledge – it takes hands-on experience."
Millennium Space Systems delivered the spacecraft and ground
software to SSC to operate independently, and provided a different
type of training, simulation and confidence-building for operators
to understand the nuances of a small satellite. This training
experience, new tools and space-qualified spacecraft components
support Millennium Space Systems' ability to deliver small
satellites for high-stakes critical missions for National Security
Space.
Media Contact:
Dana Carroll, vice president,
Marketing
Millennium Space Systems
dana.carroll@millennium-space.com
About Millennium Space Systems
Millennium Space Systems, a Boeing Company, delivers
high-performance prototype and constellation solutions across
advanced national security and environmental observation missions.
Founded in 2001, the company's small satellite missions support
government, civil and commercial space customers' needs across
orbits.
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SOURCE Millennium Space Systems