![\"Northrop](\"https:\/\/cdn.satnow.com\/news\/USSF_C_638100476350209751.jpg\")
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Northrop Grumman Corporation’s Long Duration Propulsive ESPA (LDPE)-3A spacecraft launched successfully in support of the USSF-67 mission. This spacecraft helps advance rapid access to space for the U.S. Space Force and marks the third successful launch in the LDPE program.<\/p>\n
The LDPE-3A was built using Northrop Grumman\u2019s ESPAStar, providing rapid access to space by maximizing the available volume inside a launch vehicle. This bus carries hardware for five independent missions, eliminating the need for each mission to wait for a future launch opportunity. <\/p>\n
\u201cFrom conception and development of next-generation space technology, like ESPAStar, to on-orbit command and control, we are prepared to support the full lifecycle of our customer\u2019s missions throughout the ever-evolving threat environment,\u201d said Troy Brashear, vice president, of national security systems, Northrop Grumman.<\/p>\n
Northrop Grumman also designed, developed, and implemented the command and control, and mission execution software system for the LDPE program. The software system uses a common baseline across multiple programs, putting more capability in the hands of customer operators at a lower cost. <\/p>\n
The ESPAStar product employs a customized version of a standard ESPA ring, providing added propulsion, power, and avionic subsystems. A SpaceX Falcon Heavy launch vehicle will deliver LDPE-3A to near-geosynchronous Earth orbit for one-year mission life.<\/p>\n
USSF-67 is the third mission for the LDPE program. The Northrop Grumman-built LDPE-1 launched aboard the STP-3 mission in December 2021 and LDPE-2 aboard the USSF-44 mission in November 2022. Northrop Grumman will continue to deliver future ESPAStar spacecraft, mission systems engineering, ground software systems, and hardware platforms for critical USSF missions. <\/p>\n