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The term “hosted payloads” refers to the utilization of available capacity on commercial satellites to accommodate additional transponders, instruments, or other spacebound items. By “hitchhiking” on commercial spacecraft already scheduled for launch, government agencies can send sensors and other equipment into space on a timely and cost-effective basis.
The National Space Transportation Policy directs federal agencies to actively explore hosted payloads and other ride-sharing arrangements when planning space missions.
NASA has selected a proposal from the Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory in Cambridge, Mass., to build the first space-based instrument to monitor major air pollutants across the North American continent hourly during daytime. The instrument, to be completed in 2017 at …
In April 2012, NASA announced a $3 million contract with Space Systems/Loral to initiate the process of hosting the Laser Communications Relay Demonstration (LCRD) payload aboard a Loral commercial satellite. The agreement marks the first time NASA has contracted to …
NASA Awards Hosted Payload Contract for Laser Communications Demo Read more »
On September 21, 2011, the Air Force’s Commercially Hosted Infrared Payload (CHIRP) was successfully launched into orbit on an Ariane V rocket as part of the SES-2 communications satellite. CHIRP is a pathfinder for commercially hosted government payloads as well …
Today NASA announced its selection of three Technology Demonstration Missions, including the Laser Communications Relay Demonstration (LCRD) and the Deep Space Atomic Clock (DSAC) project that will both fly as hosted payloads on commercial communications satellites. Learn more at nasa.gov
He updated last year’s presentation with information about the National Space Policy and the government’s challenges in pursuing hosted payloads. View PDF (219 KB)
NOAA Deputy Assistant Administrator Charles Baker spoke at an October 29 symposium on the National Space Policy hosted by the George Washington University (GWU). His presentation highlighted the commercial space guidelines of the policy and discussed NOAA’s potential use of …
NOAA Deputy Assistant Administrator Charles Baker gave a presentation on hosted payloads at the Satellite and Content Delivery Conference & Expo (SATCON) conference in New York City. His presentation highlighted the commercial space guidelines within the 2010 National Space Policy, …
In March 2010, the Department of Commerce submitted a report to Congress titled, “Acquisition of Space-based Scientific Data from Commercial Sources to Supplement NOAA’s Weather and Climate Observation Requirements.” The report summarizes NOAA’s plans to obtain space-based scientific data from …
Report to Congress on NOAA Use of Commercial Satellites Read more »
NOAA Deputy Assistant Administrator Charles Baker spoke about hosted payloads at the Satellite 2010 conference in Washington, D.C. His presentation highlighted five specific NOAA data sets that potentially could be fulfilled through hosted payload arrangements with commercial satellite providers. View …
Satellite 2010 Presentation on Hosted Payloads for NOAA Read more »
On August 25, 2009, the Office of Space Commercialization, FAA’s Office of Commercial Space Transportation, and Futron organized a government-industry workshop on hosted payloads to share lessons learned and develop a common approach to facilitate governmental use of hosted payloads.
On April 8, 2009, the U.S. Air Force issued a Request for Information (RFI) on cost-effective ways to fulfill its requirements for space weather observations and other space environmental data. According to the RFI, “The Air Force is evaluating all …
Info Sought on Commercial Space Weather Data Sources Read more »
To facilitate the preparation of responses to the NOAA RFI by interested parties, NOAA hosted an Industry Day at the Department of Commerce. Several dozen industry attendees participated, representing large, medium, and small firms. The Industry Day served as a …