Space

Payloads

Delivering Agile Payload Solutions

Using LLNL’s expertise in developing non-traditional science mission concepts, we serve as a resource for the space community. Our telescope and optic technologies comprise unique payloads that have reduced the size, weight and cost of missions.

The Space Science and Security Program’s innovative approach allows us to deliver unique, custom solutions for evolving space needs in responsive ways. Our payload development, including optics, sensors, and electronics, have been designed, developed and delivered in as little as one year.

LLNL engineers inspect the focal mechanism used to achieve high precision measurements for focusing the camera in space to observe objects at varying distances.

LLNL engineers inspect the focal mechanism used to achieve high precision measurements for focusing the camera in space to observe objects at varying distances.

A lens reflecting a ceiling in perfect fidelity

Monolithic Optics Technology

LLNL's Monolithic Telescopes are extremely robust and compact imaging systems designed to provide high quality imaging from nano-satellites and UAVs.

Our Optical Payloads

Program Highlights

SHOPI Device

Stellar Occultation Hypertemporal Imaging Payload (SOHIP)

In March 2023, SpaceX’s Dragon spacecraft docked with the International Space Station, delivering SOHIP, an LLNL-developed telescope using monolithic optics technology to observe and measure atmospheric gravity waves and turbulence. Understanding these phenomena is critical to understanding hypersonic flight performance, where vehicles such as airplanes or missiles, traveling at or above five times the speed of sound below altitudes of 90 kilometers/56 miles, operate in the extreme, unpredictable environment of the upper atmosphere.

Learn more about SOHIP

reflective satellite dish

Pandora

The Pandora SmallSat will study planets beyond our solar system, known as exoplanets, and their stars. Its LLNL-designed telescope is made entirely of aluminum, reducing weight and cost. The small yet powerful telescope is part of NASA’s Astrophysics Pioneers program, which focuses on small, low-cost, yet ambitious missions. It is expected to launch in 2025.

Learn more about the Pandora mission

Psyche team holding the device

Psyche

An LLNL-designed sensor is traveling through space on NASA’s Psyche mission, to the asteroid Psyche. Built by adapting nuclear forensics technology for space exploration, the spectrometer will measure the energy of gamma rays emitted from the asteroid’s surface to help determine the composition of its unique metal exterior.

Learn more about the two-billion mile journey

A device with gold sensors

GEOSTARE

We developed payloads for two small satellites that are about the size of a shoebox between 2018 and 2021. The first satellite (GEOSTARE 1) carried a powerful monolith telescope for compact imaging capabilities, and the second satellite (GEOSTARE 2) carried two monolithic telescopes. The next generation, called GEOSTARE 2B, is planned to launch in 2025 with three monolith telescopes.

Learn more about GEOSTARE

reflective satellite dish with armature

CODA Telescope

CODA is an all-aluminum telescope that was developed jointly by LLNL and Corning. It provides an alternative to traditional glass reflective telescopes, which are notoriously difficult to produce. As its highly manufacturable, CODA lowers costs and shortens production times compared to traditional telescopes.

Learn more about CODA

Read more about Space

 Payloads
 Space Domain Awareness

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