Lockheed Martin Opens New Small Satellite Factory

In a strategic move to meet the growing demand for small satellites, Lockheed Martin has unveiled a cutting-edge satellite assembly facility at its Waterton campus near Denver, Colorado.

The 20,000-square-foot factory represents a significant shift in Lockheed Martin's space operations, transitioning from building schoolbus-sized spacecraft for the U.S. government to focusing on the production of small satellites.

The facility features six parallel assembly lines, boasting a remarkable capacity to manufacture up to 180 small satellites annually.

“Lockheed Martin is committed to providing advanced satellites of different sizes and capabilities to meet our customers’ needs and support their strategy to achieve greater orbital diversity...This new facility is one of many investments our company has made to lower costs and to deliver scalable solutions with increased speed and agility, to provide 21st Century Security solutions for our customers.” - Johnathon Caldwell, Lockheed Martin Vice President and General Manager for Military Space

The inauguration of this facility marks a pivotal moment in Lockheed Martin's storied history, as it adapts to the evolving demands of the space industry. The shift towards small satellites aligns with the growing trend in the sector, driven by the need for more nimble and cost-effective space solutions.

The inaugural project for this state-of-the-art facility is an ambitious one. Lockheed Martin has been entrusted by the U.S. Space Force's Space Development Agency (SDA) to manufacture a fleet of small satellites. SDA's visionary plan involves creating an extensive mesh network comprising hundreds of data transport and missile-detection sensor satellites in low Earth orbit.

Credit : Lockheed Martin

Under the $700 million contract secured in February 2022, Lockheed Martin is set to produce 42 communications satellites for SDA's Transport Layer Tranche 1. The groundbreaking technology within these satellites is expected to play a crucial role in advancing space communications and data transport capabilities. Additionally, Lockheed Martin had previously clinched a $187.5 million contract in November 2020 to fabricate 10 Transport Layer Tranche 0 satellites, set for launch later this month.

The upcoming Transport Layer Tranche 1 satellites, have a targeted launch window in late 2024. They will be exclusively manufactured at the new smallsat factory. It is worth noting that the earlier Tranche 0 satellites were assembled at a different Lockheed Martin facility, responsible for crafting Global Positioning System (GPS) spacecraft.

Lockheed Martin's move into the small satellite arena underscores its commitment to innovation and adaptability in an ever-evolving space landscape. As the demand for small satellite constellations continues to rise, the company's advanced assembly facility is poised to play a pivotal role in reshaping the future of space technology.