LM2100

LM2100

Lockheed Martin’s modernized high-power satellite bus; an advanced evolution of the A2100 bus.

A2100

The heritage Lockheed Martin satellite bus that LM2100 evolved from.

Satellite bus

The main spacecraft platform that supports payloads with structure, power, propulsion, communications, and control systems.

High-power satellite

A satellite platform designed to support large electrical power needs for bus systems and payloads.

Proven pedigree

A design history showing that earlier versions have already flown successfully on missions.

Flight heritage

Experience gained from hardware that has already operated successfully in space.

Mission application

The type of mission a satellite platform can support, such as military, communications, or remote sensing.

AEHF

Advanced Extremely High Frequency; a military satellite mission heritage example for the LM2100/A2100 family.

GPS

Global Positioning System; a navigation satellite program supported by LM2100/A2100 heritage.

GOES-R

Geostationary Operational Environmental Satellite-R series; a remote sensing/weather satellite mission using this bus heritage.

GOES-T

A GOES-R series weather satellite example associated with the LM2100/A2100 platform.

Remote sensing

Collecting information about Earth or space from a distance using satellite instruments.

Communications satellite

A satellite designed to relay signals such as voice, data, or broadcast communications.

3-axis stabilized

A spacecraft control method that holds orientation around roll, pitch, and yaw axes.

Transfer orbit

The orbit phase used to move a spacecraft from launch insertion toward its final operational orbit.

On-orbit operations

The spacecraft activities performed after it reaches its mission orbit.

Core structure/propulsion module

The main structural and propulsion section of the LM2100 bus.

Power subsystem

The spacecraft system that generates, stores, regulates, and distributes electrical power.

GN&C

Guidance, Navigation, and Control; the subsystem that determines and controls spacecraft attitude and motion.

C&DH

Command and Data Handling; the subsystem that processes commands and spacecraft data.

Flight software

The onboard software that controls spacecraft functions and redundancy management.

RF components

Radio-frequency hardware used for spacecraft communication.

Antenna systems

The spacecraft hardware used to transmit and receive radio signals.

GPS III

A modern GPS satellite generation originally targeted by LM2100 design work.

MEO

Medium Earth Orbit; one of the orbital regimes supported by LM2100 missions.

GEO

Geostationary Earth Orbit; a high orbit where satellites appear fixed over one longitude.

HEO

Highly Elliptical Orbit; an elongated orbit type supported by LM2100 mission configurations.

Orbital regime

The general class of orbit a spacecraft operates in, such as GEO, MEO, or HEO.

Multiple launch packaging

Adapting spacecraft configuration so more than one spacecraft or special packaging can fit in a launch vehicle.

Single fault tolerance

A design approach where one failure should not cause mission loss.

Configure-to-order

A design approach where the platform is adapted to mission-specific needs.

Optical payload

A camera, telescope, or imaging instrument carried by the spacecraft.

Plug-in processing/transmit chain

An added C&DH path for processing and downlinking remote sensing data.

Remote sensing data acquisition

The collection of image or sensor data by a remote sensing payload.

Downlink

The transmission of spacecraft data from the satellite to the ground.

Earth Pointing Platform (EPP)

A vibration-isolated platform used on GOES-R to support jitter-sensitive Earth-facing payloads.

Vibration isolated

Mechanically separated to reduce vibration transfer to sensitive instruments.

Jitter-sensitive payload

A payload whose performance can be affected by small spacecraft vibrations.

Dual Flex Heat Pipe

A thermal-control component used to move heat away from spacecraft equipment.

Propellant Tank

A storage tank for spacecraft fuel or propellant.

Plume Resistant Optical Solar Reflector

A thermal-control reflector designed to resist contamination from thruster plumes.

Binary Phase Shift Key Uplink Downlink Unit

A communications unit associated with phase-shift-keyed uplink and downlink signaling.

Advanced Optical Solar Reflector

A thermal-control surface that reflects solar energy and helps manage spacecraft temperature.

Antenna Hinge

A mechanism that allows an antenna to deploy or move.

STARMU

A spacecraft unit listed in the LM2100 component suite; likely associated with attitude/reference sensing.

Solar Array Drive Assembly

A mechanism that rotates solar arrays so they can track the Sun.

Arcjet Life Test Extension

Testing or design work related to extending arcjet thruster life.

East/West Radiator

A radiator surface used to reject heat from the spacecraft.

Hall Current Thruster Deployment

A deployment or propulsion feature related to Hall-effect electric thrusters.

Common Shear Tie

A structural attachment component used to transfer loads.

Split Spool Release Device

A release mechanism used for spacecraft deployment systems.

Xenon/Helium Filter

A filter used in propulsion systems involving xenon or helium gas.

Gen-4 Hinge (Solar Array)

A fourth-generation hinge used for solar array deployment.

Multi-Mission Solar Array

A solar array design adaptable to multiple missions.

Multi-Mission Array Deployer Assembly

A deployment mechanism for multi-mission solar arrays.

Enhanced Remote Interface Unit (ERIU)

A C&DH unit that connects spacecraft subsystems and sensors.

CP Pressure Regulator Valve

A valve that regulates pressure in a spacecraft propulsion or pressurization system.

Medium Power Structure

A spacecraft structural configuration intended for medium power needs.

High Power Structure

A spacecraft structural configuration intended for higher power needs.

Common Solar Array Drive Motor

A motor used in solar array pointing and tracking mechanisms.

Duplex Linearized Travelling Wave Tube Assembly

A communications amplifier assembly used for RF signal transmission.

Thruster Gimbal Assembly

A mechanism that points a thruster to control force direction.

Pointing modes

The spacecraft orientation options, including Sun, nadir, and Earth pointing.

Sun pointing

A mode where the spacecraft or solar arrays orient toward the Sun.

Nadir pointing

A mode where the spacecraft points toward the Earth directly below it.

Earth pointing

A mode where the spacecraft maintains orientation toward Earth.

Pointing accuracy

How closely the spacecraft can point where commanded.

Pointing knowledge

How accurately the spacecraft knows its own pointing direction.

Arcsec

Arcsecond; an angular measurement equal to 1/3600 of a degree.

Mission parameters

Key mission values such as lifetime, orbit, launch vehicle, bus size, payload mass, and power.

Lifetime

The planned operational life of a satellite mission.

Orbit

The path a spacecraft follows around Earth.

Launch vehicle

The rocket used to place a spacecraft into orbit.

Bus dimensions

The physical size of the spacecraft bus.

Payload mass capacity

The amount of payload mass the bus can support.

Payload power capacity

The amount of electrical power available for payloads.

Orbit-average power

The average power available during normal orbital operation.

Peak power

The maximum short-term power the spacecraft can provide.

Internal payload volume

The volume inside the spacecraft bus available for payload equipment.

External payload volume

The outside mounting volume available for payload hardware.

Chemical propulsion

Propulsion using chemical reactions or stored propellants to produce thrust.

Monopropellant

A propulsion system using a single propellant, such as hydrazine.

Bipropellant

A propulsion system using two propellants, usually fuel and oxidizer.

Thruster

A small rocket engine used for attitude control, stationkeeping, or maneuvers.

Arcjet

A type of electric propulsion that heats propellant with an electric arc.

Electric propulsion

A propulsion method using electrical energy to accelerate propellant.

HCT propulsion system

Hall Current Thruster propulsion system; an electric propulsion option.

Propellant type

The kind of fuel or propellant used by the spacecraft propulsion system.

Fairing

The protective nose-cone structure that encloses the spacecraft during launch.

Structure

The physical framework of the spacecraft bus.

Aluminum honeycomb panels

Lightweight structural panels used in the LM2100 spacecraft structure.

Open internal structure

A spacecraft interior layout with accessible internal volume around the central structure.

Central cylinder design

A structural design where a central cylinder carries major launch and spacecraft loads.

Structural core

The main load-bearing part of the spacecraft.

Propulsion equipment

Hardware such as tanks, valves, lines, and thrusters used for spacecraft propulsion.

Load path

The route forces travel through the spacecraft structure into the launch vehicle.

Lower transition adapter

The structural interface between the spacecraft and launch vehicle.

Bus design features

The major subsystem and structural features of the LM2100 spacecraft bus.

Star tracker

An attitude sensor that uses stars to determine spacecraft orientation.

Coarse sun sensor

A sensor that detects the Sun’s direction for spacecraft attitude control.