Vanguard Space Technologies Delivers Primary Components for TESS Satellite

SAN DIEGO, Dec. 23, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- Vanguard Space Technologies, Inc. (Vanguard) today announced that it has delivered the first set of three primary components for the Transiting Exoplanet Survey Satellite (TESS) Program to Orbital ATK, Inc. Vanguard was responsible for structural engineering, fabrication, assembly and test of the High Gain Antenna (HGA), and fabrication and assembly of the TESS Spacecraft Primary Bus Structure as well as the Camera Accommodation Structure (CAS).

Photo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20151223/318034

TESS is based on Orbital ATK's proven LEOStar-2 spacecraft platform, and is being executed at its satellite production and testing facility in Dulles, VA. The mission of the TESS spacecraft is to provide prime exoplanet candidates for further characterization by the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST), as well as other large ground-based and space-based telescopes in the future. The planned launch of the TESS spacecraft in mid-2017 is well matched to JWST's scheduled launch in 2018 to maintain momentum in NASA's exoplanet program. The principal goal of the TESS mission is to detect small planets wth bright host stars in the solar neighborhood, so that detailed characterizations of the planets and their atmospheres can be performed.

All three components were produced in Vanguard's San Diego, California facilities, and successfully tested in Vanguard's static load frame. "This was another in a long series of successes for Vanguard, meeting very stringent technical requirements and delivering on time to our customer," said Mr. Frank Belknap, CEO of Vanguard. "This program is a continuation of a very long and successful history between Orbital and Vanguard for joint development of mission-critical spacecraft antenna reflectors and primary structural components."

About Vanguard Space Technologies, Inc.
Vanguard is a leading provider of aerospace structural products and assemblies with an emphasis on turn-key satellite components utilizing state-of-the-art materials and manufacturing methods. The company's capabilities include engineering, tooling, manufacturing, assembly integration and test of high-performance, lightweight and precision aerospace structures. Vanguard's primary product lines include lightweight, high-precision antenna reflectors, spacecraft primary bus structures, precision instrument structures and solar power systems for commercial, defense, military and science-mission satellites and terrestrial applications. Founded in 1994 and having more than 13 years of successful space heritage, Vanguard has over 100 major structural products in orbit today with 100% mission success.

For further information, contact: Paul Oppenheim, Vice President Business Development & Contracts:

• Email: [email protected]
• Phone: 858-587-4210
• Website: www.vst-inc.com

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SOURCE Vanguard Space Technologies, Inc.

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