U.S. defense firm Lockheed Martin launched a futuristic satellite operations center in the company’s campus near Denver, Colorado, U.S. The company announced the opening of the center on September 11, 2023.
According to the company’s release, the futuristic operations center technology test bed demonstrates “how tomorrow’s satellite operators will be able to manage multiple space missions simultaneously using a web-based, secure cloud infrastructure.”
The satellite operations center is a self-funded project of Lockheed Martin that utilizes Compass Mission Planning and Horizon Command and Control (C2) software.
“This software has already flown more than 50 spacecraft, performing government, research, and commercial space missions. The powerful ground system allows for the management of single satellites – or entire constellations of similar or entirely different satellite types – by a single operator at the same time, from almost anywhere,” the statement added.
Vice president and general manager of Lockheed Martin Space’s National Security Space business, Maria Demaree said, “The Operations Center of the Future’s next-generation AI, automation, and cloud capabilities enable operators to remain closer to the mission than ever before, regardless of their physical location.”
Demaree added that “Remote operators can instantly receive timely mission alerts about satellite operations, and then securely log-in to make smart, fast decisions from virtually anywhere.”
The operation center’s cutting-edge automation, artificial intelligence, and machine learning capabilities make it capable of managing satellite constellations of any size. Its adaptability minimizes staff requirements, as operators can deploy the same foundational software across various missions. and paves the way for “lights out” operations, offering remote operation agility and robustness.
The Lockheed Martin futuristic center is also expected to command and control future missions, including Pony Express 2, TacSat, and LM 400 on-orbit technology demonstration missions.
