Lockheed to Demonstrate Rapid On-Orbit Sensor Payload in December

Lockheed Martin will launch an Electronically Steerable Antenna payload demonstrator in December to showcase how its sensors can rapidly operate in orbit.

According to Lockheed, the ESA demonstrator, dubbed “Tantrum,” can be activated and calibrated much quicker than traditional on-orbit sensors, which usually take months to become operational. Maria Demaree, vice president and general manager of Lockheed’s national security space business, a 2023 Wash100 and a 4×24 member, said the payload supports customers’ missions and the increasing pace at which they operate. 

Tantrum was built using a novel and scalable design leveraging commercial parts. The design ensures that the payload can be mass-produced.

The payload is integrated on a Terran Orbital Nebula small satellite bus and will be launched aboard a Firefly Aerospace Alpha rocket, Lockheed said Monday.

Lockheed has been performing several demonstrations and reviews for technologies supporting the U.S. military.

In mid-October, Lockheed conducted a test flight for its Multi-Function Electronic Warfare-Air Large system, which can detect, locate, disrupt and degrade communications systems and radars. During the test, Lockheed tested how the system can detect and affect signals aboard a U.S. Army MC-12W aircraft.

In the same month, the company and the Missile Defense Agency conducted a digital All Up Round preliminary design review for the Next Generation Interceptor missile.