Sierra Space Innovation, Technology & Agility

Tell us about a recent product your team launched. How does it drive Sierra Space’s mission forward?

Recently, we launched the Sierra Space Eclipse satellite bus line of products, which enable increased commercial access to space and support U.S. National Security efforts. I was part of the propulsion subsystem group within the space technologies business sector, where we designed and developed numerous state-of-the-art systems to increase our satellite bus capabilities while on orbit. 

These satellites further support our mission to drive the commercial space economy forward by allowing companies, be it corporations or startups, to have accessible means to test new products and technologies in various orbits. The refueling capabilities integrated in these products extend time in orbit so customers can gather more data on their payloads and National Security efforts can remain operable for longer, ensuring our safety by eliminating gaps in capabilities and assets and reducing costs. 
 

What obstacles and challenges did your team encounter — and overcome — while launching the Sierra Space Eclipse line?

With these complete satellite space vehicles being designed in-house and built for space flight, there were many obstacles and roadblocks we encountered, some of which we anticipated, while others we did not. Our team rose up to each challenge with tenacity, regardless of whether we knew the immediate path forward or if we were left scratching our heads about what to do next. 

Often, because of how rapidly these systems were being developed, creative solutions weren’t only welcomed, but required. We leveraged daily stand-up meetings to kick off our workday and lay out current problems, any hindrances to progress and action items. It was a constant learning experience as we established the process for other programs — many lessons were learned, but it made us that much more knowledgeable. These learned lessons were then applied to the next programs and space vehicles, enabling quick, focused development that allows us to bring these various satellite bus designs to the market at such a swift pace

What’s the biggest lesson that your team has taken away from this launch, and how has it changed the way your team operates?

I would say the biggest takeaway we learned was which key items or requirements were crucial to have completed or refined at various stages in the development process. There were checklist items that we quickly learned need to be intertwined in the design process from the beginning, even though they can’t be checked off later in the process or until build completion. It absolutely changed how our team thinks and operates to where, on current and future programs, these checklist items are continuously monitored, gradually addressed and always on our mind throughout the development of the subsystems and space vehicle. 

The difficulties faced on the earlier programs ingrained in us how the plethora of late-stage design needs, considerations and desires must be regularly discussed because the dynamic, iterative nature of the design process can diverge from its original path. If too much time goes by without looking into these aspects, a large gap may exist when it’s next addressed, and that can drain much-needed resources, be it schedule, personnel or financial.