The Iris250 module production line at ExoTerra’s new facility. Photo: ExoTerra

ExoTerra reports it has delivered 21 of its Iris250 propulsion modules to York Space Systems to support York’s work on the Space Development Agency (SDA) Tranche 1 Transport Layer program. 

York received the award from SDA in 2022, along with Lockheed Martin and Northrop Grumman, to build 42 satellites each for the Tranche 1 Transport Layer, which will provide direct-to-platform connectivity across air, sea and terrestrial domains. 

The company reports it achieved a new milestone of 15 delivered last month. CEO Mike VanWoerkom said in a news release that “scaling issues [are] now behind us,” and the company is targeting 24 delivered per month later this year. ExoTerra has expanded its production capability including adding more than 100 employees and opening an additional 36,000 square feet facility. 

“We’re thrilled to be part of this program and are excited to see it fly in the coming months,” VanWoerkom commented. “We understand the importance of scaling propulsion production for SDA and we’re glad we could come in and meet the challenge. Production of the Tranche 2 units is following immediately behind these, with first deliveries expected next month.”

ExoTerra is based in Littleton, Colorado and designs, manufactures, and tests electric propulsion elements for small spacecraft. The Iris250 module is a commercial propulsion module capable of delivering up to 250 kNs of impulse to microsatellites using ExoTerra’s Halo electric propulsion system. 

Earlier this year, Skyloom, another York subcontractor, delivered 42 optical communication terminals to York for the Tranche 1 Transport Layer program.