The Department of Homeland Security is touting the benefits of small satellites used to help search and rescue teams locate emergency beacons in remote areas, such as the Arctic.
Officials said the Raytheon Company crafted two Polar Scout devices, with smallsats apertures and sensors capable of meeting mission requirements normally accomplished by larger satellites.
“With our automated production lines, Raytheon can produce highly reliable, small satellites quickly and affordably,” Raytheon Advanced Missile Systems Vice President Thomas Bussing said. “Because our advanced manufacturing facilities are flexible, we can build small satellites or satellite components designed by Raytheon or another company.”
Officials said small satellites are less expensive and can be produced more quickly than large geostationary satellites while operating from lower orbits.
“Because of its innovative technology and advanced production facilities, Raytheon has been the ideal partner for this program,” George Moretti, Millennium Engineering and Integration executive director, said.
Raytheon worked with Rincon Research and Space Dynamics Laboratories to develop and produce the Polar Scout satellites, officials said, noting the smallsats are scheduled to be launched into lower Earth orbit later this year.
Raytheon is a technology firm specializing in defense, civil government and cybersecurity solutions, providing electronics, mission systems integration, C5I products and services, sensing, effects and mission support for customers in more than 80 countries.