Launch of TDO-2 with the AEHF-6 primary satellite
TDO-2 became the first satellite launched and deployed by the newly formed U.S. Space Force, flying on Atlas V 551 with AEHF-6.
Adaptive Launch Solutions was the principal subcontractor on the USSF Launch Manifest System Integrator (LMSI) Contract. In March 2020, TDO-2 launched aboard the Atlas V 551 carrying the Advanced Extremely High Frequency (AEHF)-6 primary satellite. On March 26, 2020, TDO-2 became the first satellite launched and deployed by the newly formed U.S. Space Force.
The payload was integrated on the aft end of the Centaur upper stage, and TDO-2 deployed after the second main engine cutoff (MECO 2) and ahead of the anchor AEHF satellite — only the second time this event had occurred during a National Security Space Launch mission.
Against a historical integration timeline for traditional satellites of roughly 24 months, it is another example of ALS and the U.S. Space Force Mission Manifest Office driving integration flexibility and responsiveness into the National Security Space planning process and rapidly delivering capability to the warfighter.
