Deep Purple payload successfully deployed and operational

The Deep Purple telescope developed by Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL) researchers is now operational in space.

The Livermore instrument, which utilizes a new design for an ultra-violet (UV) and short-wave infrared monolithic telescope features a novel, compact optical system and electronics package inside a lightweight, modular housing.  

On Friday, Aug. 16, SpaceX successfully deployed NASA’s Pathfinder Technology Demonstrator-R (PTD-R) satellite on the Transporter-11 launch.

PTD-R features the “Deep Purple” payload designed and delivered in under one-year by LLNL. Over the past weekend, PTD-R achieved “first light” meaning that it successfully collected and downlinked its first images. All systems on PTD-R are operating as designed.  

Deep Purple will observe the Earth, the sky and its celestial bodies, and other satellites in the ultraviolet (UV) and short-wave infrared. It was designed, developed, qualified and delivered in approximately one year and for less than $1 million by a team of LLNL spacecraft engineers.  NASA’s Small Spacecraft Technology Program funded Terran Orbital to design, build and operate the satellite bus.  

“Our observation campaign will begin the week of Sept. 2 and we will survey the Earth background, the galactic bulge and other satellites in orbit,” said Principal Investigator Jordan Smilo.  

“Kudos to the Deep Purple team who made this happen,” said Ben Bahney, program leader of the Lab’s Space Science and Security Program. “We also are  grateful to our partners at NASA, Terran Orbital, Optimax, Patz Materials and Technologies, SEOPS and SpaceX.”  

The PTD-R spacecraft is now in low-Earth orbit at an altitude of about 520 kilometers (or 323 miles).