Northrop Grumman's ESPAStar platform enables secondary payloads to tag along with other missions, utilizing extra available space on launch vehicles, providing a modular and cost-effective spacecraft bus.
ESPAStar
Making space accessible. That's Defining Possible.
Modular and Cost-Effective
Northrop Grumman’s ESPAStar platform provides a modular, cost-effective and highly capable infrastructure resource for hosting technology development and operational payloads. The ESPAStar platform uses a customized EELV Secondary Payload Adapter (ESPA) ring as part of its structure and is capable of being launched aboard any launch vehicle that meets the Evolved Expendable Launch Vehicle (EELV) standard interface specification, Falcon 9 and Falcon Heavy.
ESPAStar Platform
The ESPAStar platform’s six payload ports are capable of accommodating any combination of up to six hosted and 12 separable (fly-away) payloads (maximum one hosted or two separables per port). The payload interface at each port has been standardized, allowing for hosted and separable payload interchangeability, late payload integration and manifest changes. The ESPAStar platform leverages the available mass margin from any EELV launch to provide an affordable path to space for payloads. The platform is optimized for GEO missions, but is adaptable for LEO and MEO missions.
