Terran Orbital-Developed PropCube Finds New Home at Smithsonian’s National Air and Space Museum

Rhea-AI Summary

Terran Orbital Corporation (NYSE: LLAP) announced that its developed PropCube will be permanently displayed at the Smithsonian’s National Air and Space Museum starting October 14, 2023. The PropCube is a significant advancement in CubeSat technology, co-invented by Dr. Jordi Puig-Suari. The exhibition, titled One World Connected, explores the impact of satellites on global connectivity. The PropCube has previously conducted ionospheric research for the Naval Research Laboratory, making this display a notable achievement for the company and its contributions to aerospace technology.

Positive

• Terran Orbital enhances visibility and brand recognition by showcasing the PropCube at a prestigious institution like the Smithsonian.
• The PropCube's contribution to ionospheric research highlights Terran Orbital's innovation in satellite technology.
• Developing the PropCube underscores the company's capability in advanced satellite manufacturing and research.

Negative

• None.

The PropCube will be on permanent display in the “One World Connected” exhibition

BOCA RATON, Fla.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Terran Orbital Corporation (NYSE: LLAP), a global leader in satellite solutions, primarily serving the United States and Allied aerospace and defense industries, is proud to announce a Terran Orbital-developed PropCube will be on permanent display at the National Air and Space Museum’s One World Connected exhibition starting at 10:00 a.m. ET on Friday, October 14.

The Terran Orbital-developed PropCube will be on permanent display at the Smithsonian's National Air and Space Museum (Image Credit: Smithsonian’s National Air and Space Museum | Terran Orbital)

PropCube is an early entry in a long line of Terran Orbital CubeSat innovations. The CubeSat itself was co-invented by Terran Orbital alumni, Dr. Jordi Puig-Suari. While a professor at Cal Poly San Louis Obisbo, Dr. Puig-Suari designed the CubeSat standard alongside Stanford University Professor Bob Twiggs as a teaching tool in 1999. The CubeSat quickly drew interest from other universities, governments, and industry partners. While CubeSats were originally only considered playthings or engineering sandboxes, Dr. Puig-Suari saw the potential for more. Dr. Puig-Suari co-founded Tyvak Nano-Satellite Systems, Inc. in 2011 – joining forces with Terran Orbital co-founder Marc Bell shortly thereafter when Terran Orbital acquired Tyvak in 2013. Bell took CubeSats to the next level with PropCube being one of the first CubeSats to push beyond the simple sandbox, and take on a complex, high-risk mission — effectively kicking off the New Space revolution.

As part of Naval Research Laboratory PropCube mission, Terran Orbital designed and built four identical ionospheric research PropCubes. Three of the 1U form factor spacecraft – Flora, Fauna, and Merryweather – flew in space while one stayed Earth-bound as an engineering test unit. The Earth-bound engineering test unit is the PropCube Terran Orbital donated to the museum.

The PropCubes performed dual-frequency ionospheric calibration measurements of ionospheric electron density and irregularities. They performed measurements of total electron content by differential group delay, of plasma irregularities by amplitude and phase scintillations, and detection of artificial ionization and irregularities generated by the HAARP, Arecibo, and Sura high-frequency facilities.

“Displaying a satellite at the Smithsonian’s National Air and Space Museum is a dream come true,” said Terran Orbital Co-Founder, Chairman, and Chief Executive Officer Marc Bell. “The Smithsonian museums are iconic. Their dedication to making knowledge and innovation visually accessible to all is unmatched. We are honored to contribute a PropCube to One World Connected and hope for the opportunity to display many more satellites in their galleries in the coming years. We are also of course grateful to the Naval Research Laboratory for entrusting us with the privilege of developing the PropCubes.”

One World Connected will tell the story of how taking to the skies and stars fostered two momentous changes in everyday life: the ease in making connections across vast distances and a new perspective of Earth as humanity’s home. Featuring an array of satellites and other tools that have increased human connection, the exhibition will ask the museum’s visitors to consider how global interconnection touches their lives and to imagine how advances in technology might impact the near future.

About Terran Orbital

Terran Orbital is a leading manufacturer of satellites primarily serving the United States and Allied aerospace and defense industries. Terran Orbital provides end-to-end satellite solutions by combining satellite design, production, launch planning, mission operations, and on-orbit support to meet the needs of the most demanding military, civil, and commercial customers. Learn more at www.terranorbital.com.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20221013005470/en/

Virginia Norder

pr@terranorbital.com

949-508-6404

Source: Terran Orbital Corporation

FAQ

When will the PropCube be displayed at the National Air and Space Museum?

The PropCube will be on permanent display starting at 10:00 a.m. ET on October 14, 2023.

What is the significance of the PropCube for Terran Orbital (LLAP)?

The PropCube represents a major innovation in CubeSat technology and highlights Terran Orbital's contributions to aerospace research.

Who co-invented the CubeSat standard associated with the PropCube?

The CubeSat standard was co-invented by Dr. Jordi Puig-Suari and Professor Bob Twiggs in 1999.

What research was conducted using the PropCubes?

The PropCubes performed dual-frequency ionospheric calibration measurements, including assessments of electron density and irregularities.

What is the exhibition One World Connected about?

The exhibition explores how satellites have transformed global connections and provides a new perspective on Earth.