{"id":31786,"date":"2019-12-05T21:40:23","date_gmt":"2019-12-05T21:40:23","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/defensenews\/uncategorized\/2019\/12\/05\/air-forces-stopgap-polar-payload-passes-major-milestone\/"},"modified":"2026-08-08T18:16:50","modified_gmt":"2026-08-08T18:16:50","slug":"air-forces-stopgap-polar-payload-passes-major-milestone","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/defensenews\/space\/2019\/12\/05\/air-forces-stopgap-polar-payload-passes-major-milestone\/","title":{"rendered":"Air Force\u2019s stopgap polar payload passes major milestone"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

The Air Force\u2019s stopgap polar satellite communications payload successfully completed its critical design review in October, the Space and Missile Systems Center announced Dec. 3, putting it on track for a December 2022 launch.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Enhanced Polar System Recapitalization (EPS-R) program\u2019s critical design review was a two-month process wherein the government assessed the maturity of the payload design. With the review successfully completed and the Air Force satisfied with the design, manufacturing can begin. Northrop Grumman is the primary contractor for the payload, having received a $410 million contract for the payloads in February 2018. Work is expected to be completed December 2023.<\/p>\n\n\n\t