American defense contractor delivers innovative low-cost space avionics

The first 8 minutes of any space launch are crucial for the success of the mission. During this period, specialized computer systems control the launch vehicle through powered flight, adhering to a strict flight path to reach space and enter Earth’s orbit or head towards destinations such as the Moon or Mars.

For instance, NASA’s Space Shuttle took approximately 8.5 minutes to reach Earth’s orbit, while the Artemis 1 took 8 minutes and 20 seconds to reach an altitude of 162 km or 100.6 miles.

In these initial stages, millions of calculations take place to ensure the launch vehicle remains healthy and in control, engines fire consistently, and data is successfully captured for engineers and scientists to manage the launch vehicle.

L3Harris’ Launch Vehicle Phoenix Flight Computer provides a modular, scalable, and ruggedized flight computer solution designed for use in various launch vehicle and spacecraft applications. The flight computer offers a wide array of control systems, including launch vehicle guidance, navigation and control (GNC), launch vehicle engine control, attitude control, mission data network control, instrumentation and displays, vehicle health and status monitoring, and more.

Once the rocket’s engines complete their burn, space vehicles enter subsequent flight stages, releasing payloads no longer needed to reach their destination. L3Harris’ spacecraft communications and navigation systems continue to remain active through spacecraft separation, ensuring a correct flight path and a robust collection of flight data. These systems are designed to endure the harsh realities of space and provide resilient, reliable, and stable connections.

For spacecraft remaining in Low Earth Orbit (LEO) or docking with the International Space Station (ISS), L3Harris provides the radio for NASA’s Common Communications for Visiting Vehicles (C2V2) program for the ISS. C2V2 is a program designed to provide standardized communications between the ISS and docking vehicles. The system is secure and provides reliable communications with commercial crew and other visiting vehicles for all phases of rendezvous, docking, and mated operations.

L3Harris has a vast and diverse history in spacecraft communications beyond LEO. For 20 years, every U.S. Mars rover and orbiting spacecraft mission have used L3Harris transceivers – including the Electra-Lite and Electra on both the current Perseverance lander and orbiting spacecraft.

L3Harris’ suite of avionics and communications offers a comprehensive range of solutions for space missions:

1. Navigation & Computing: L3Harris provides modular, fault-tolerant flight computer solutions, Inertial Measurement Units (IMUs), and GPS tracking and navigation units.
2. Data Acquisition: L3Harris’ flight-proven, ruggedized, high-performance data acquisition systems are available with a full complement of off-the-shelf modules. Scalable data acquisition solutions are offered with sensor excitations, signal conditioning, and data packet generation.
3. Communications: L3Harris produces multi-mode, high-efficiency, flight-proven S-band telemetry transmitters. Ground network and Tracking and Data Relay Satellite System (TDRSS)-compatible transmitters and transceivers are complete with embedded high-power Solid-State Power Amplifiers (SSPAs).
4. Power: Fault-tolerant distribution and control of Ground Support Equipment (GSE) and vehicle battery power are present in L3Harris’ avionics systems.
5. Control Systems: L3Harris’ systems offer complete vehicle control, including ignition and staging, engine, thrust vector, hydraulic, and actuator control.
6. Safety: L3Harris supplies next-generation Autonomous Flight Safety Systems (AFSS) as well as heritage Enhanced Flight Termination Systems (EFTS) and Automatic Destruct Units (ADU).
7. Propulsion Solutions: L3Harris’ wide range of reliable rocket engines and motors ensures mission success. L3Harris propulsion solutions span the range of performance required for all launch vehicle applications.

With a rich history in spacecraft communications and a diverse range of solutions, L3Harris continues to support the ever-evolving and increasing complex mission requirements that demand high-performance, technologically advanced, and low-cost solutions backed by a history of highly reliable launches.