Maxar 300 Satellite Bus Passes Critical Design Review

Geospatial intelligence provider Maxar Technologies has conducted a critical design review of its Maxar 300 series bus for L3Harris Technologies, which ordered 14 of the platforms in 2022.

L3Harris is working under a potential $700 million contract to build out the satellite constellation and ground infrastructure for the Space Development Agency’s Tranche 1 Tracking Layer, a warning system for conventional and advanced missiles such as hypersonics.

According to Maxar, the 300 series bus is a scalable platform with the capacity for at least eight spacecraft on every launch. The company will work to build each bus to meet the size, weight, power and cost targets of the SDA.

Chris Johnson, Maxar’s senior vice president and general manager for space, said the team completed the CDR 10 months after L3Harris awarded the contract. He added that production is expected to begin later in 2023 with initial deliveries set for early 2024, Maxar said.