[10-03-07 – Satellite Today]  SpaceDev received a contract from U.S. Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) contract for work on the High Delta-V satellite program, the company announced Oct. 2.

Under the $3.8 million contract, SpaceDev will develop solar thermal propulsion and the bus design for the program.

The program is intended to develop a space-qualified, low-cost high delta-V, modular solar thermal propulsion system combined into a satellite capable of completing the required missions.

"By using a combination of flight proven materials and subsystems in conjunction with the unique challenges within the program, we see an opportunity to help transform how propulsion is accomplished on orbit," Mark Sirangelo, SpaceDev’s chairman and CEO, said in a statement. “We view this initial phase as an opportunity to close the design solution and thus lead to fabricating ground test hardware and ultimately culminate in a full flight demonstration. This is an excellent and exciting opportunity to be part of a major shift in space propulsion and satellite technology.”

SpaceDev’s team will include  General Atomics and BAE Systems.