Tantrum (ESA-Demo)

Tantrum (ESA-Demo) [Lockheed Martin]

Tantrum is a Lockheed Marin technology demonstration satellite to demonstrate a unique wideband Electronically Steerable Antenna (ESA) payload as an advanced technology to perform missions faster once on orbit.

Based on an innovative, proprietary design, Lockheed Martin expects to calibrate this new ESA sensor in a fraction of the time it takes to operationalize traditional on-orbit sensors, which historically can take months to be powered on, fully calibrated and ready to perform their mission. The ESA payload is built on a novel, scalable design, using highly reliable commercial parts for quick, mass-producibility. For this demonstration, it was integrated on a Terran Orbital Nebula small satellite bus.

The payload was developed in Lockheed Martin Space’s Ignite organization, a new team established to target three main missions: exploratory research and development, accelerating the pace of technology development and, lastly, introducing new product innovations.

The satellite was launched on a Firefly-Alpha on 22 December 2023. It reached orbit, but apparently the orbit was not circularized. Although not in the desired orbit, Tantrum was able to conduct its prime mission. On 11 February 2024 it reentered the atmosphere.