Northrop Grumman to Deliver New Space Domain Awareness Prototype Satellite

Accelerated 24-month timeline to deliver satellite with high‑quality imaging and more frequent characterization of objects in geosynchronous orbit

 Northrop Grumman (NYSE: NOC) has been selected to deliver a commercially derived prototype for the Department of War Innovation Unit’s (DIU) Geosynchronous High-Resolution Optical Space-Based Tactical Reconnaissance (GHOST-R) mission. This award expands the company’s role in commercial, low-cost, proliferated space systems and builds on the success of the Northrop Grumman-built Geosynchronous Space Situational Awareness Program (GSSAP).

Northrop Grumman will:

• Build a satellite using the company’s high-rate production ESPASat-L platform, and incorporate optical payloads provided by TRL-11, Irvine, Calif.
• Assemble, integrate, test and deliver an operational GHOST-R prototype to the U.S. Space Force on an accelerated 24-month timeline
• Use operationally proven platforms to boost space domain awareness at commercial timescales and enable faster deployment of future spacecraft constellations

Northrop Grumman will deliver the GHOST-R space domain awareness protype spacecraft using its ESPASat-L spacecraft bus and a commercially-provided optical sensor on an accelerated 24-month timeline. (Credit: Northrop Grumman)

Expert: 

Ryan Tintner, vice president and general manager, space superiority, Northrop Grumman: “Space is becoming more congested and contested every day, and our joint forces depend on clear, timely insight into what’s happening on orbit. By rapidly fielding this prototype, we’re pushing innovation to new heights to strengthen the nation’s ability to detect, understand and anticipate activity in geosynchronous orbit so we can better protect critical space assets and keep the joint force operating with confidence.”

Details: 

The agreement falls under DIU’s “Kill Web” portfolio, which features technology advancements for out-sensing and out-targeting the adversary through artificial intelligence (AI)-integrated space architectures. GHOST‑R satellites will enhance characterization of resident space objects, battle damage assessment and positive identification in geosynchronous orbit. By fielding a proliferated layer of lower‑cost commercial satellites, the Space Force aims to deliver the dynamic space operations capability U.S. Space Command needs to counter potential threats.     

Northrop Grumman’s ESPASat-L, a spacecraft the size of a small suitcase, integrates with the company’s ESPAStar payload rideshare platform and provides a modular, cost-effective path to space. The GHOST-R operational prototype will provide commercial augmentation for existing space domain awareness systems, enabling the Space Force to operate a hybrid constellation architecture.

Spacecraft assembly, integration, and test will occur at the company’s Dulles, Virginia and Gilbert, Arizona Satellite Manufacturing Facilities, with delivery on an accelerated timeline to the United States Space Force.

Northrop Grumman is a leading global aerospace and defense technology company. Our pioneering solutions equip our customers with the capabilities they need to connect and protect the world, and push the boundaries of human exploration across the universe. Driven by a shared purpose to solve our customers’ toughest problems, our employees define possible every day.