Heinrich Announces $14.9 Million Air Force Contract For Albuquerque Space Company
WASHINGTON, D.C. (March 11, 2019) - U.S. Senator Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.), a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, announced that the U.S. Air Force awarded Albuquerque company LoadPath, LLC a $14,899,737 contract to assist the Air Force Research Laboratory at Kirtland Air Force Base with advanced spacecraft systems.
“This is another big step forward in building New Mexico's integral role in major advances in the development of the military’s more responsive and resilient space architecture,” said Senator Heinrich. “I’m proud that New Mexico has become a Center of Excellence for small satellites and other important military space testing. I will continue to support our homegrown innovative companies like LoadPath that are playing a critical role in the evolving and growing space missions in New Mexico.”
“We’re excited to partner with the Air Force to develop critical satellite technologies,” said LoadPath co-founder Greg Sanford. “We are proud to be part of the New Mexico space community and its increasingly prominent role in the overall industry. Performing this work within the state will help to continue that growth.”
LoadPath is a small, Albuquerque-based business with 20 employees. The company delivers mechanical, structural, and thermal technologies for satellite and space launch applications. It develops technology from concept to commercialized product through the entire design-build-test-deliver cycle. Specific products and services offered by Loadpath include multi-payload launch adapters, structural testing, deployable composite booms, R&D engineering services, spacecraft thermal management components, and thermal analysis.
Under the contract, LoadPath will support future Department of Defense space missions by advancing spacecraft structures, thermal systems, and agile manufacturing. Deployable systems, as well as, on-orbit assembly and manufacturing technologies will be developed to create next generation large structures for antennas, solar arrays, instrument booms, and solar sails. The company will deliver cutting-edge thermal systems that offer both increased power and decreased cost. Advanced, agile manufacturing methods will be also developed to improve spacecraft affordability, multi-functionality, and manufacturing schedule.
Through his role on the Armed Services Committee, Heinrich has fought to support and expand small satellite missions such as Space Rapid Capabilities Office, Space Test Program, Space Vehicles Directorate, and the SMC Advanced Systems and Development Directorate at Kirtland Air Force Base, which is emerging as the nation’s leader in developing and testing small satellite technology for the military.
