Artist rendition of the altair spacecraft. Photo: Millennium Space Systems

[Via Satellite 08-09-2016] The Swedish Space Corporation (SSC) and Millennium Space Systems are teaming together on the first-ever Altair launch to provide customization and rapid constellation production for Millennium’s customers. The Altair spacecraft, a high performance space system for Low-Earth Orbit (LEO), Geostationary Earth Orbit (GEO), and deep space missions, will launch on a SpaceX Dragon as part of an International Space Station (ISS) Commercial Resupply mission in the next 90 days. Once onboard the ISS, the 6U-Altair spacecraft will be launched via the NanoRacks deployment system.

SSC is providing its Infinity ground operations services and operational expertise to maintain the program’s budget and schedule prior to deployment. Altair will use SSC Infinity ground network services for launch and early orbit procedures, as well as routine support from ground stations in Hawaii, Australia and Chile throughout its mission life.

“Recent growth in new smallsat and constellation-based space applications throughout the world has driven the need for a new approach to ground segment operations,” said Leif Osterbo, president of SSC’s satellite management services division. “SSC Infinity is that new approach. Millennium Space Systems will be able to reduce costs and risks associated with satellite launch, orbital insertion, system and constellation checkout.”