True Anomaly opens GravityWorks; gains federal clearances for space operations

True Anomaly opens GravityWorks; gains federal clearances for space operations
by Brad Bartz
Los Angeles CA (SPX) Aug 21, 2023

In a major advancement for space access and sustainability, tech firm True Anomaly, Inc. launched its advanced spacecraft manufacturing facility, GravityWorks, while simultaneously securing federal permissions for novel space operations.

Located in Centennial, Colo., this new facility positions True Anomaly amidst the flourishing aerospace and defense sectors of Colorado, one of America's leading space economies. This geographical choice aligns with the company's goal of producing entirely American-made spacecraft.

The unveiling event of GravityWorks saw attendance from numerous U.S. government dignitaries, industry affiliates, media, and clients.

Speaking at the occasion, Congressman Jason Crow remarked, "True Anomaly's decision to establish in Colorado's 6th Congressional district reflects the state's robust aerospace legacy, our abundant skilled workforce, and the dynamic amalgamation of commercial, civil, and military space entities. It's an ideal setting for pioneering space firms, and we are eager to witness True Anomaly's forthcoming endeavors in bolstering space security and sustainability."

One of the distinctive features of GravityWorks is its innovative assembly line model for satellite creation, promising a fully tested, mission-ready satellite every five days.

Describing the facility's uniqueness, True Anomaly CEO Even Rogers stated, "With its groundbreaking satellite design, unparalleled engineering processes, and top-tier talent, GravityWorks is pivotal in True Anomaly's commitment to proffer resilient solutions on a large scale. We're here to cater to the diverse spacecraft needs of our clients, amalgamating hardware, software, and AI to transform tactical issues into inventive resolutions."

GravityWorks, sprawling across 35,000 square feet, will house True Anomaly's Jackal autonomous orbital vehicles (AOVs). Significantly, the first pair of these AOVs are scheduled for a February 2024 launch via SpaceX's Transporter-10 mission from Vandenberg Space Force Base.

In a noteworthy disclosure at the launch event, Rogers informed of the company's recent acquisition of a NOAA license. This license allows operations of Jackal 1 and 2 for commercial remote sensing in non-Earth imaging (NEI), encompassing an extensive range of imaging capabilities. These will enable Jackal to amass data even under challenging illumination conditions, such as the Earth-shadowed segments.

Furthermore, True Anomaly has received FCC clearances for terrestrial testing of Jackal transmitters. They've also secured permissions for demonstrating in-orbit spacecraft-to-spacecraft rendezvous using Jackal 1 and 2.

Expressing gratitude, True Anomaly's Chief Legal Officer Matthew Linton said, "NOAA, FCC, and other federal bodies have been indispensable in comprehending and affirming our singular approach to space security and sustainability through Jackal's imaging and rendezvous capabilities. Collaborations between regulatory bodies and the industry are quintessential for steering innovations towards pivotal national objectives."