SSL to Build Flight System Component for NASA’s Psyche Asteroid Mission; Richard White Comments

Maxar Technologies’ SSL subsidiary has been tapped by Zin Technologies to develop and test a flight system designed for NASA’s Psyche mission that aims to explore a metal asteroid and help shed light on the Earth’s formation.

The agency’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory designed the Psyche Compute Element that will work as the main computer onboard a spacecraft to perform data handling and command coordination functions, Maxar said Thursday.

“SSL is proud to be playing a major role in NASA’s Psyche mission, which will deepen humanity’s knowledge of our solar system and accelerate innovation for future exploration missions,” said Richard White, president of SSL’s government systems business. 

SSL will also build a solar-based electric propulsion space vehicle chassis for the Psyche mission based on its SSL 1300 satellite.

White added that the spacecraft’s design leverages the company’s solar electric propulsion experience and has been validated in at least 100 missions.

The spacecraft is on target to complete its preliminary design review phase in preparation for its scheduled launch in 2022.