Anticipating increased demand, York Space Systems plans to increase the production of S-Class satellites—satellites with a payload of 85 kilograms or less—to as many as 50 units per year by 2020. According to York Executive Chairman Chuck Beames, it currently takes approximately one year to assemble a satellite.
York is currently producing three-axis satellites at a cost of $1.2 million or less. The client then adds the required instrument payload for the specific mission.
Beames projects they will be able to produce hundreds of satellites per year, with a production cycle of 4 months per satellite.
Beames said, “The military is very interested in that because it is operationally responsive,” and “…because time is money.” His optimism is also supported by the fact that York’s first satellites are working well.
The increased production will require the expansion of York’s production facilities and staff.
According to a York news release, the U.S. Air Force has issued an order for two satellites to be launched into geosynchronous orbits.