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General Atomics

US

General Atomics (GA) is an American energy and defense corporation that operates in the space industry through its Electromagnetic Systems (GA-EMS) group. GA-EMS designs, manufactures, and tests innovative space systems, including satellites, optical communication terminals, and space nuclear technologies. They partner with organizations like the U.S. Space Development Agency (SDA) and Radian Aerospace, providing solutions for satellite constellations, space-to-space communication, and advanced aerospace systems.

commercialFounded 1955
History · 2 eventsJan 1, 1986 · Blue family acquires General Atomics
San Diego, California, United States
ga.com
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All verified mentions of this organization in source documents.

General Atomics plans to have two new optical terminals completed by the end of the year.

PlanGrowthValue 3.0Feb 6, 2022Space Development Agency, General Atomics eye options after setback in laser comms experiment

General Atomics is building a next-generation set of laser communication terminals intended for launch in the 2023 timeframe.

PlanCapabilityValue 3.2Feb 6, 2022Space Development Agency, General Atomics eye options after setback in laser comms experiment

General Atomics Electromagnetic Systems launched the Laser Interconnect and Networking Communications System (LINCS) experiment for the Space Development Agency on 2022-06-30.

PlanValue 4.0Feb 6, 2022Space Development Agency, General Atomics eye options after setback in laser comms experiment

EO Vista is supplying sensors to General Atomics Electromagnetic Systems for the Electro-Optical Infrared Weather System program.

RelationshipsValue 4.0Jan 31, 2022EO Vista imaging sensor for Space Force weather satellites passes design review

General Atomics Electromagnetic Systems selected Firefly Aerospace to launch MAIA on its Alpha rocket in 2022.

RelationshipsPlanValue 4.0Jan 25, 2022NASA hosted payloads waiting for rides to orbit

In 2018 NASA awarded a contract to General Atomics for hosting services for MAIA, including satellite integration and testing.

RelationshipsCapabilityValue 4.5Jan 25, 2022NASA hosted payloads waiting for rides to orbit

In 2020 the Space Force selected Raytheon, General Atomics, and ASTRA Space to develop electro-optical infrared weather satellite concepts.

PlanRelationshipsValue 4.0Jan 17, 2022Space Force signals demand for commercial weather data, but will the industry deliver?

General Atomics won a $22,000,000 DARPA contract to develop the nuclear reactor for the DRACO demonstration.

RelationshipsPlanFinancialValue 5.0Jan 14, 2022Report: Nuclear propulsion would help military satellites maneuver out of harm’s way

General Atomics Electromagnetic Systems was one of the three contenders selected by Space Systems Command in June 2020 to develop EWS space sensor prototypes.

PlanRelationshipsValue 4.0Dec 15, 2021Raytheon wins $67 million U.S. Space Force contract to build weather satellite prototype

The Space Enterprise Consortium awarded $309,000,000 in contracts in June 2020 to three teams: Raytheon Technologies, General Atomics, and Atmospheric & Space Technology Research Associates.

RelationshipsFinancialValue 5.0Sep 5, 2021Space Force delays selection of weather satellites

General Atomics Electromagnetic Systems is offering an EWS design consisting of 15 small satellites equipped with visible and infrared instruments from EOVista.

CapabilityRelationshipsValue 4.0Sep 5, 2021Space Force delays selection of weather satellites

The Japan Coast Guard included drone technology in its budget for 2022 after a successful 2020 test of the SeaGuardian drone manufactured by General Atomics.

FinancialCapabilityRelationshipsValue 4.0Aug 27, 2021Japan Coast Guard to deploy drones for military surveillance

General Atomics Electromagnetic Systems added a 7,500 ft2 Class 10,000 / ISO 7 cleanroom facility in San Diego, California.

GrowthCapabilityValue 4.0Aug 23, 2021GA-EMS Expands Their Space Systems Development Infrastructure

General Atomics Electromagnetic Systems has 20 years of experience developing multi-domain optical technologies.

CapabilityValue 2.0Aug 23, 2021GA-EMS Expands Their Space Systems Development Infrastructure

DARPA awarded a $22,000,000 contract to General Atomics in April to design a small nuclear reactor for space propulsion.

RelationshipsFinancialCapabilityPlanValue 5.0Jul 28, 2021Space Force sees ‘advantages and opportunities’ in nuclear-powered space missions

General Atomics Electromagnetic Systems, working with X-energy and Aerojet Rocketdyne, received one of the NASA nuclear thermal propulsion concept study contracts.

RelationshipsLegalValue 4.6Jul 13, 2021NASA issues contracts for nuclear thermal propulsion studies

In April, DARPA awarded General Atomics a $22,000,000 contract for reactor design work for the DRACO program.

RelationshipsPlanValue 4.6Jul 13, 2021NASA issues contracts for nuclear thermal propulsion studies

Companies that received NOAA contracts in 2020 included Ball Aerospace, L3Harris Technologies, Raytheon Technologies, Lockheed Martin, Maxar Technologies, Northrop Grumman, General Atomics, and York Space Systems.

RelationshipsValue 4.0Jul 7, 2021NOAA to take first step toward a small satellite constellation

All LINCS system elements were internally designed and built by General Atomics Electromagnetic Systems at facilities in San Diego, California and Huntsville, Alabama.

CapabilityValue 4.0Jun 30, 2021Launched + Successfully Deployed Are The General Atomics-EMS’ + Space Development Agency’s LINCS Smallsats

In partnership with the Space Development Agency, General Atomics Electromagnetic Systems is among the first Department of Defense contractors to develop and deploy a 1550 nm Optical Communication Terminal to test increased speed, reliability, distance, and variability of space communications.

RelationshipsCapabilityValue 4.2Jun 30, 2021Launched + Successfully Deployed Are The General Atomics-EMS’ + Space Development Agency’s LINCS Smallsats
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