General Atomics Deploys Multi-Payload OTB Satellite on SpaceX Falcon Heavy Rocket

General Atomics’ electromagnetic systems business has launched the Orbital Test Bed, which enables simultaneous deployment of multiple payloads via a single satellite, aboard SpaceX’s Falcon Heavy vehicle Tuesday from Cape Canaveral in Florida.

A variety of payloads were launched from the OTB satellite, including a modular array from the Air Force Research Laboratory, an integrated miniature electrostatic analyzer from the Air Force Academy, the RadMon radiation effects panel and NASA's Deep Space Atomic Clock, General Atomics said Tuesday.

“Establishing the proper orbit, communications and control is the first critical post launch step for our hosted payload customers,” said Nick Bucci, vice president of General Atomics’ missile defense and space systems.

OTB was deployed along with 23 other satellites to three distinct orbits around Earth under the Space Technology Program-2 mission.