Terran Orbital Corporation, a leading manufacturer of small satellites serving the aerospace and defense industries, marks the first anniversary of the successful launch of Pathfinder-4 (PTD-4) and Pathfinder-R (PTD-R). Both 6U CubeSats launched on August 16, 2024, aboard a SpaceX Falcon 9 and have since delivered exceptional mission results.
PTD-4 was built to test NASA’s Lightweight Integrated Solar Array and Antenna (LISA-T) and is operated by NASA Ames Research Center. The mission aims to validate innovative solar array and antenna technologies that can be used in future science and exploration missions.
PTD-R, also a 6U CubeSat, carries Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory’s Deep Purple payload. Designed to observe ultraviolet (UV) and shortwave infrared (SWIR) light from stars, the mission demonstrates advanced space domain awareness capabilities while validating new technologies for future missions.
“Pathfinder-4 and Pathfinder-R have achieved remarkable success in their first year of operations,” said Peter Krauss, Chief Executive Officer of Terran Orbital. “These missions underscore our commitment to delivering high-performance, flight-proven spacecraft that advance scientific discovery and enhance our national capabilities in space.”
Both spacecraft continue to set new benchmarks in their respective fields, contributing critical data and proving next-generation technologies. Terran Orbital celebrates these milestones as part of its ongoing mission to innovate, deliver, and lead in the rapidly evolving space industry.
