HUNTSVILLE – This summer, Dynetics quietly launched the Lonestar tactical space support vehicle aboard Virgin Orbit’s LauncherOne.

This week, Dynetics announced the completion of the on-orbit satellite and payload checkouts with the Army Space and Missile Defense Command payload development laboratory at Redstone Arsenal.

The laboratory provides ground systems for command and telemetry to the satellite. The payload is operational and ready to support its mission for the warfighter, the company said.

“The successful contact of our satellite in orbit is a substantial milestone for our team and the years of work supporting critical national security missions in space,” said Leidos Dynetics Group President Steve Cook. “This will enable further development for our growing satellite capabilities and accelerate our customer’s national security mission in space.”

Work on the Lonestar program from design through development took place at Redstone Arsenal and the Dynetics facility in Huntsville’s Cummings Research Park. It was performed through a $9 million task order, including a one-year, on-orbit demonstration.