A rendering of Maxar’s WorldView Legion constellation. Photo: Maxar Technologies

Maxar Technologies has received a $35 million, multi-year contract for capacity on its WorldView Legion satellite constellation with an unnamed international defense and intelligence customer, the company announced July 7.

This contract extends the customer’s ability to directly task and download 30 cm-class satellite imagery to its ground station from Maxar’s current constellation under Maxar’s Direct Access Program for defense and intelligence customers. The contract will also include access to the next-generation WorldView Legion satellites and Maxar’s 3D data suite. 

Maxar said in its most recent quarterly report that it is targeting a fourth quarter 2021 launch for its first WorldView Legion satellite. The company said there is an industry-wide issue with some aspects of Honeywell electronic components that are being used on the first Legion satellite, and Raytheon found an issue during testing on a high-precision optical instrument that is due to workmanship.

Tony Frazier, Maxar executive vice president of Global Field Operations said this extends a two-decade partnership with the customer, an “important U.S. ally.”

“Maxar’s commercial satellite imagery and 3D data suite will enhance situational awareness and decision-making for the customer’s critical government missions, Frazier commented. 

Read more about Maxar’s WorldView Legion satellites in the Tech Focus report in Via Satellite’s July edition.