The Anduril and Impulse Space companies announced a new joint Geosynchronous Earth Orbit(GEO) Rendezvous and Proximity Operations(RPO) mission scheduled for 2026.
Consolidation of the RPO mission
This high-precision demonstration seeks to validate critical space technologies that will enable the United States and its allies to maneuver freely and safely in an increasingly contested orbital environment.
[post_relacionado]The mission will integrate Impulse’s highly maneuverable, flight-proven Mira spacecraft with Anduril’s software-defined payloads, including its mission data processor(MDP) and longwave infrared imager(LWIR).
The goal is to demonstrate that RPO missions can be faster, more accessible and cost-effective, without sacrificing accuracy and reliability. This deployment will be accomplished by the Helios launch stage, which will carry Mira from LEO to GEO in less than a day, powered by the Deneb engine. Once in GEO, Mira will separate from Helios, which will be sustainably retired to a graveyard orbit, and begin its autonomous maneuvers to observe resident space objects (RSOs) from multiple strategic angles.
Anduril ‘s MDP payload will enable efficient edge processing and autonomous mission management, integrating its Lattice platform and RPO flight software. Such architecture will facilitate rapid data exchange between sensors, payloads and navigation systems, even in conditions of limited communication and high radiation.
Funded with its own resources under the IRAD program, this is the fourth space demonstration announced by Anduril. The partnership with Impulse Space also envisages future collaborations in advanced propulsion technologies, in-orbit autonomy and command and control for defense missions.
Source and photo: Anduril