Northrop Grumman recently completed a systems requirement review (SRR), the first of several important steps to design, build and deliver a new spacecraft bus to reduce costs to space operations.

Under the Modular Space Vehicle (MSV) program, the successful SRR and future preliminary design reviews and system implementation is part of a contract with National Aeronautics and Space Administration Ames in support of the Department of Defense (DoD) Operationally Responsive Space (ORS) office at Kirtland Air Force Base, N.M.

"We are delighted with the progress this team has made since the program kick off last December," said Steve Hixson, vice president, Advanced Concepts - Space and Directed Energy Systems.

"Northrop Grumman is focused on supporting the program office and their vision of providing operationally responsive space assets in a manner that gives Joint Force Commanders more access to the outer limits of space."

The systems requirements review (SRR) is a joint meeting with the customer to verify that Northrop Grumman's design approach is consistent with the program budget and schedule.

This program milestone also ensures that the contractor and customer share a clear, complete and unambiguous understanding of the system requirements, and are aware of the program's technical risks and management of those risks.

"We're progressing toward a mission level systems requirement review which will happen in early summer," said Rick Hayner, MSV program manager.

"The team has been totally engaged with our partners to ensure our MSV bus solution meets the capability envisioned by the ORS office. At this point, we're ready to proceed with preliminary design which will culminate in a preliminary design review this fall."

Hayner also noted that the MSV is a multi-mission spacecraft bus employing a Modular Open System Approach (MOSA) and using network avionics architecture technology to allow for rapid manufacturing, integration and test.

"This approach and technology will provide innovative, affordable and expedient solutions to U.S. combatant commanders, and opens new markets to additional customers," Hayner added.