Jason Rhian
December 12th, 2019

A mannequin of Northrop Grumman’s OmegA rocket stands within the Automobile Meeting Constructing’s Excessive Bay 2. Photograph Credit score: Mike Howard / SpaceFlight Insider
Northrop Grumman’s OmegA rocket has been chosen by Saturn Satellite tv for pc Networks to ferry to satellites to orbit on its maiden voyage.
The rocket’s inaugural flight is at the moment scheduled to happen within the spring of 2021. If every little thing goes in keeping with plan, OmegA will raise off from Kennedy Area Middle’s Launch Advanced 39B in Florida on its solution to ship the spacecraft right into a geosynchronous switch orbit.
“The OmegA rocket expands Northrop Grumman’s launch capabilities past our small and medium class rockets, which have efficiently launched almost 80 missions,” stated Scott Lehr, vice chairman and basic supervisor, flight programs, Northrop Grumman by way of a company-issued launch. “Increasing the corporate’s launch capabilities to the intermediate/heavy class with OmegA enhances our nationwide safety satellite tv for pc portfolio and allows us to higher help our clients.”
Saturn Satellite tv for pc Networks famous that that they had chosen OmegA provided that their payload, the NationSat spacecraft, had been well-suited to fly on the brand new launch system.

Artist’s depiction of OmegA rocket lifting off from Kennedy Area Middle’s Launch Advanced 39B. Picture Credit score: Northrop Grumman
“We’re excited to launch Saturn’s NationSat on Northrop Grumman’s OmegA launch automobile’s inaugural mission. OmegA’s efficiency, payload lodging, and rigorous certification program assures us it’s a nice match for NationSats and our clients,” Jim Simpson, CEO of Saturn stated within the launch.
OmegA’s growth has been continuing alongside at a gradual tempo. In August, Northrop Grumman held a ribbon-cutting ceremony in KSC’s Excessive Bay 2 (the place OmegA will likely be ready for flight). Two months later the U.S. Air Pressure awarded Northrop Grumman a $792 million Launch Providers Settlement. The settlement will evaluate and confirm the rocket in addition to the places it ought to launch from.
“The primary flight of OmegA is a key step in our certification course of for the U.S. Air Pressure Nationwide Safety Area Launch program,” stated Charlie Precourt, vice chairman, propulsion programs, Northrop Grumman. “Having Saturn’s NationSat on board for this mission additional demonstrates the flexibility of OmegA to serve different markets together with business and civil authorities.”
Jason Rhian
Jason Rhian spent a number of years honing his expertise with internships at NASA, the Nationwide Area Society and different organizations. He has offered content material for shops reminiscent of: Aviation Week & Area Know-how, Area.com, The Mars Society and Universe At present.
Source link