The defense technology company Anduril Industries has officially presented three modular payload systems for satellites, designed for space monitoring and reconnaissance (Space Domain Awareness). All developments successfully passed flight tests in low Earth orbit within the ANDURIL-216 demonstration mission, confirming the company's readiness to act as a system integrator of defense space solutions.
The key element of the complex is the long-wave infrared sensor LWIR Space Sensor mass 16,6 Kg, which records the thermal radiation of space objects. Unlike traditional optical systems, dependent on sunlight, this device provides continuous detection and tracking of satellites even in complete darkness while in the shadow of the Earth and at small angles to the Sun. Високу чутливість сенсора підтвердив знімок Землі та Місяця, отриманий із відстані близько 370 000 км від місячної поверхні.
The autonomy and energy efficiency of the payload are provided by the onboard Mission Compute Module (10,4 Kg) and the intelligent Dynamic Payload Power Module energy distribution system (10,2 Kg). The computing unit integrates the proprietary Lattice software platform directly in orbit, allowing to combine data from different sensors and run artificial intelligence algorithms in real time without delay in communication with the Earth. The universal power supply module stabilizes the power supply, ensuring compatibility of Anduril systems with satellite platforms of various manufacturers.
Demonstration spacecraft ANDURIL-216 mass 200 Kg, created on the basis of the Aries commercial platform of the Apex company, was launched into high altitude orbit 590 km in July 2026 of the year by the Falcon launch vehicle 9. In addition to own developments, фахівці компанії інтегрували на борту дві електрооптичні камери сторонніх виробників, об’єднавши їх у єдиний контур управління мережею Lattice. За словами керівництва космічного підрозділу Anduril, successful deployment of this architecture provides US defense and intelligence agencies with operational situational awareness in orbit in the face of growing space threats.
Source: https://spacenews.com