LITTLETON Colo., April 2, 2007 - Satnews Daily - NASA has awarded a Rapid II contract to MicroSat Systems, Inc., a provider of small, high performance satellites for military responsive space applications and civil and commercial customers.
The contract allows MicroSat entry into a catalog of approved vendors for fast procurement of spacecraft systems and services. The contract has a minimum value of $50,000 and a potential maximum value of $1.5 billion. Along with MicroSat Systems, there are only eight other approved vendors in the Rapid II list.
NASA’s Rapid Spacecraft Development Office focuses on the efficient and quick procurement process for NASA and any other federal agencies that need spacecraft systems and services. The traditional government procurement process, which often takes as long as two to three years, can now take as little as 30 to 90 days. Through a rigorous proposal process, aerospace companies demonstrate their success in building spacecraft and having controlled processes (ISO-9001) in place. With a contract award, selected companies become approved vendors and are included in the Rapid II catalog.
"This is a perfect match for us," said John Roth, president of MicroSat Systems. "Our business is building spacecraft quickly, efficiently, and economically, and that’s what this program is all about."
"Following our successful TacSat-2 launch in December, this NASA award is further verification that our business model of building reliable, affordable spacecraft that are highly capable is valued," said Todd Mosher, Director of Advanced Systems. "We hope this will open up several opportunities to work with NASA in performing its science and exploration missions."
TacSat-2 features 11 onboard experiments, which will be conducted during the spacecraft’s planned six to 12-month mission. The U.S. Navy’s Target Indicator Experiment (TIE) consists of a wideband sensor to gather radar, radio, and handheld communication signals. The TIE will also check for the automated identification transmission now mandated for large ocean-going ships. TacSat-2 can directly talk to any common data link compatible ground station across the globe.
Other features include the integrated global positioning system occultation receiver, which will compile high-precision location data for the micro satellite, recycled solar array panels producing 500 watts of power, and autonomous operations allowing TacSat-2 to think for itself.
MicroSat Systems is a leader in the application of new technologies and new production techniques to bring highly capable microsatellites to the space market. Key technologies MicroSat Systems has developed include high payload mass fraction composite structures, low cost/lightweight power subsystems, advanced miniaturized avionics and satellite designs rapidly adaptable to multiple missions.
