Aidan Daly
Lockheed Martin has declared its Pony Express 2 technology demonstration mission ready for launch.
Lockheed said Thursday that the mission involves the use of two 12U Renegade-class space vehicles provided by Terran Orbital to carry payloads that would showcase several capabilities — enhanced connectivity, autonomous mission scheduling, mission flexibility, agile operations and artificial intelligence-enabled proactive troubleshooting.
The launch is expected to take place no earlier than March 2024. SpaceX’s Transporter-10 rideshare mission will provide the launch service.
Pony Express 2 will become available to participate in government exercises once the technology demonstrations are completed. Eventually, the mission will be joined by other satellites to form the Space-Augmented Joint All-Domain Operations Environment, which is meant to showcase Combined Joint All-Domain Command and Control.
Maria Demaree, vice president and general manager for National Security Space at Lockheed and a Wash100 awardee, said, “The Pony Express 2 mission will showcase how we can keep our warfighters connected from space across every domain even in the most austere and contested environments.”
Top military leaders, defense experts and policymakers will come together at the Potomac Officers Club’s Achieving Transformative Cooperation for National Defense Forum to explore the future of Combined Joint All-Domain Command and Control. Register now to join this important event.
