Defense Speak Interpreted: Is DARPA Still Around After CHIPS?
Beyond the Board: Orbital High Ground—Why Space Superiority Is Slipping Away
The Government Circuit: Trump’s Trade War Disrupts the Electronics Ecosystem
Terran Orbital Delivers NASA’s CubeSat Proximity Operations Demonstration
May 18, 2022 | Business WireEstimated reading time: 1 minute
Terran Orbital Corporation, a global leader in satellite solutions, primarily serving the United States aerospace and defense industry, announced it delivered its CubeSat Proximity Operations Demonstration (CPOD) satellite to the Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida for integration into the SpaceX Transporter-5 launch vehicle.
The CPOD project is being led by Terran Orbital with funding from NASA’s Small Spacecraft Technology program within NASA’s Space Technology Mission Directorate. The technology demonstration mission will validate the technologies needed to support rendezvous, proximity operations, docking (RPOD), servicing, and formation flight by utilizing a pair of identical 3-unit (3U) CubeSats – leveraging their inherently lower vehicle and launch costs.
CPOD will demonstrate the ability of two spacecraft to remain at determined points relative to each other (called relative station-keeping), as well as precision circumnavigation and docking. Docking will employ the use of a novel universal docking device, imaging sensors, and a multi-thruster cold gas propulsion system. CPOD represents roughly 10x mass reduction from previous vehicles and program costs and will enable the creation of future missions not previously possible.
“Terran Orbital takes pride in continuously providing state-of-the-art satellite technologies,” said Terran Orbital Co-Founder, Chairman, and Chief Executive Officer Marc Bell. “Itself already groundbreaking, CPOD is also paving the way for future revolutionary missions. Terran Orbital looks forward to fostering our partnership with NASA as we progress cutting-edge mission solutions."
Share on:
Suggested Items
I-Connect007 Editor’s Choice: Five Must-Reads for the Week
06/27/2025 | Nolan Johnson, I-Connect007While news outside our industry keeps our attention occupied, the big news inside the industry is the rechristening of IPC as the Global Electronics Association. My must-reads begins with Marcy LaRont’s exclusive and informative interview with Dr. John Mitchell, president and CEO of the Global Electronics Association. For designers, have we finally reached the point in time where autorouters will fulfill their potential?
Knocking Down the Bone Pile: Tin Whisker Mitigation in Aerospace Applications, Part 3
06/25/2025 | Nash Bell -- Column: Knocking Down the Bone PileTin whiskers are slender, hair-like metallic growths that can develop on the surface of tin-plated electronic components. Typically measuring a few micrometers in diameter and growing several millimeters in length, they form through an electrochemical process influenced by environmental factors such as temperature variations, mechanical or compressive stress, and the aging of solder alloys.
RTX, the Singapore Economic Development Board Sign MOU Outlining 10-year Growth Roadmap
06/20/2025 | RTXRTX and the Singapore Economic Development Board (EDB) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) which outlines a 10-year roadmap to further long-term strategic collaboration in Singapore.
Indra Signs Agreement with AXISCADES to Boost Production of Cutting-Edge Systems in India
06/18/2025 | PRNewswireParis Air Show -- Indra and the Indian technology company AXISCADES have signed an agreement to collaborate on the production of solutions for the aerospace and defense markets.
GKN Aerospace Delivers First High Voltage EWIS System for Clean Aviation’s SWITCH Project
06/16/2025 | GKN AerospaceGKN Aerospace has completed and delivered the first high voltage Electrical Wiring Interconnection System (EWIS) for the Clean Aviation SWITCH project.