Lockheed Martin Unveils $350 Million Cutting-Edge Satellite Manufacturing Hub
DENVER, Aug. 2, 2017 /PRNewswire/ — Initial construction has commenced on a state-of-the-art $350 million facility by Lockheed Martin (NYSE: LMT), aimed at producing next-generation satellites. This new site, situated within the company’s Waterton Canyon campus near Denver, marks a significant advancement in a continuous transformation, integrating innovative solutions to efficiently support future missions at a reduced price and cycle duration.
Lockheed Martin’s latest satellite integration center will establish its Waterton Canyon campus as one of the largest hubs for space technology in the United States, encompassing 3.5 million square feet dedicated to research, engineering, testing, and office use. For additional information about the facility, kindly visit our site.
The forthcoming Gateway Center, expected to be completed in 2020, will feature a cutting-edge high bay cleanroom capable of simultaneously manufacturing a diverse range of satellites from micro to macro sizes. The facility will operate in a paperless, digitally-empowered setting that includes flexible production lines and advanced testing capabilities. It will house a large thermal vacuum chamber to emulate the harsh conditions of outer space, an anechoic chamber for precise testing of sensors and communication systems, and a sophisticated test operations and analysis center. The Gateway Center will adhere to security standards crucial for supporting essential national security missions.
“This is our future manufacturing environment: adaptable, effective, and loaded with innovations. We’ll be capable of fabricating satellites that aid frontline troops, explore new worlds, and accommodate distinct missions,” explained Rick Ambrose, Executive Vice President of Lockheed Martin Space Systems. “The high bay is spacious enough to fit the Space Shuttle with excess room. This scale and versatility will enable us to optimize economies of scale, and consolidating all of our testing facilities will enhance and accelerate production.”
Lockheed Martin anticipates the construction project to engage approximately 1,500 contractors throughout the three-year period. Since 2014, over 750 jobs have been added to its Colorado workforce, with around 350 job openings currently available in the Denver region alone. This facility will support that recent expansion and future projects. State and local authorities in Colorado have contributed to strengthening the aerospace sector, cultivating an ecosystem that encourages aerospace companies to flourish.
“Aerospace serves as a catalyst for innovation and expansion in America, and we’re dedicating resources to improve infrastructure and technologies that reinforce the nation’s leadership in both military and commercial space, as well as scientific exploration,” Ambrose remarked. “We are revamping every facet of our operations to assist our clients in staying ahead of an evolving landscape. The Gateway Center, along with innovations in 3D printing, virtual reality design, and intelligent payloads, will produce groundbreaking advancements while saving our patrons time and resources.”
Lockheed Martin’s Waterton Canyon campus has been a pivotal center for space innovation since the 1950s, employing over 4,000 personnel and housing a wide array of industry-leading design, manufacturing, and testing facilities. Current spacecraft in progress include the U.S. Air Force’s GPS III satellites, NASA’s InSight Mars lander, NOAA’s GOES-R series weather satellites, and various commercial communication satellites.
Contractors chosen by Lockheed Martin for this initiative include Hensel Phelps as the primary contractor, along with Matrix PDM Engineering and Dynavac for the thermal vacuum chamber’s design and construction, and ETS-Lindgren for the design and construction of the anechoic chamber.
