Jay Clemens
Lockheed Martin will work with Alaska Aerospace to launch the latter firm’s small- and medium- lift missions from the Kodiak Launch Complex with Lockheed’s Athena rocket.
Alaska Aerospace will collaborate with Lockheed to upgrade the rocket and launch pad in preparation for government and commercial payload launch operations, Lockheed said Monday.
“Upgrading Athena and the KLC will give government and commercial launch customers a much-needed medium-lift launch capability on the West Coast,†said Steve Skladanek, president of Lockheed’s commercial launch services business.
The Athena IIS will be upgraded to carry payloads that weigh between 4,200 and 6,600 pounds.
Alaska Aerospace will award a contract to Lockheed after the completion of the planning phase for the upgrades.
