Five missile defense satellites with cryogenic cooling systems driven by Creare LLC’s Miniature Cryocooler Controller Electronics for Tactical Space (MCCE-TS) successfully launched from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station, Florida. Originally developed in 2017 for NASA under the Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) program with our partners from West Coast Solutions (WCS), the MCCE-TS optimally balances cost and mission reliability, enabling critical space missions at affordable costs. The cryogenic cooling systems will undergo two years of on-orbit operations during the life of the programs.

L3Harris Technologies designed and built the satellites as part of the Missile Defense Agency’s (MDA) Hypersonic and Ballistic Tracking Space Sensor (HBTSS) program and the Space Development Agency’s (SDA) Tranche 0 (T0) Tracking Layer program. MDA’s HBTSS satellite is an on-orbit prototype demonstration, providing fire control quality data able to detect, track, and target hypersonic, ballistic, and other advanced missiles. The other four infrared satellites complete SDA’s T0 program within their Proliferated Warfighter Space Architecture (PWSA) at Low Earth Orbit, which will demonstrate missile warning, tracking, and targeting of advanced threats such as hypersonic missiles. Creare is honored to be part of these critical missions and a trusted supplier to L3Harris.

Creare LLC is a small business with expertise in advanced research/development and low- to medium-volume production of specialized space hardware.  We have been a leading developer of cryogenic components, cryogenic systems and cryocoolers for space for over 30 years.  The company was founded in 1961 with its main site in Hanover, New Hampshire.   

(U.S. Space Force photo by Airman 1st Class Samuel Becker – The appearance of U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) visual information does not imply or constitute DoD endorsement.)