SSL’s Payload Orbital Delivery System (PODS) will create an environment where launch opportunities for SmallSat missions to GTO/GEO and beyond are frequently available and cost-effective to procure. We believe that the introduction of this capability will create a “tipping point” for beyond-LEO SmallSats, in the same way that frequent and cost-effective access to LEO has recently created exponential growth in the number of LEO SmallSat missions. The first PODS launch is set for March 2017 with regular opportunities that follow.
The PODS service offers frequent SmallSat access to Geostationary Transfer Orbit (GTO) or Geostationary Earth Orbit (GEO) by providing rideshare opportunities on our 6-8 commercial GEO communication satellite launches each year. SmallSats ranging from CubeSats to Microsatellites are easily accommodated with our standard design but we can also accommodate larger rideshares in a number of situations. Not only does the SSL PODS service offer frequent launch opportunities, it also offers a reliable launch date that is tied to a commercial contract. The benefit of this is that the SmallSat developer will not experience recurrent and potentially lengthy launch date slips.
SmallSat applications that are enabled by this launch capability include Space Situational Awareness, Technology Demo with Rapid Refresh, Deep Space Exploration (Moon, Mars, Asteroid), Resupply of GEO Infrastructure for Satellite Servicing, Persistent Earth Imaging, GEO Constellations, and more.
SSL has over 50 years of experience designing satellites that operate beyond Low Earth Orbit. As a result, we can provide a SmallSat bus and dispenser as a turn-key solution for organizations that want to focus on their mission payload instead of spending resources designing a deep-space compatible bus or release mechanism. Our affiliate company MDA has designed a PODS-compatible SmallSat dispensing system that is capable of reliably releasing SmallSats up to 90kg with a very low tumble rate.
We are excited to enable the next wave of SmallSat missions that will travel beyond LEO by providing frequent, cost-effective, reliable, and potentially turnkey, access to GTO and/or GEO.
