Since 2000, Lockheed Martin has delivered 84 payloads on 16 different types of satellites from multiple manufacturers, including three Government payloads integrated on commercial hosts.
Photo: Lockheed

[Via Satellite 09-25-13] Lockheed Martin submitted its competitive proposal for the U.S. Air Force’s Hosted Payload Solutions (HoPS) initiative aimed at leveraging commercial satellites for some government missions. According to the Aug. 1 government solicitation, HoPS will provide the Air Force Space and Missile Systems Center (SMC) and other U.S. government organizations with “a capability for hosting Government payloads on commercial spacecraft to meet mission objectives.”

The HoPS contract will procure a fully functioning on-orbit hosted payload system and integrated ground system equipment and interfaces that deliver payload data to the government end user. SMC’s Developmental Planning Directorate is the acquisition office for HoPS.

It is common for multiple payloads to be mounted, or hosted, on a spacecraft to share launch, propulsion and power services, and their costs. According to Lockheed Martin, hosting government payloads on commercial spacecraft is an innovative approach that could address some of the U.S. government’s needs for future satellite missions in challenging times.