Boeing announced on Monday that it is developing a family of small satellite prototypes, called Phantom Phoenix, for missions ranging from intelligence collection to planetary science. Sharing a common architecture, flight software, and simplified payload integration options, these satellites are designed to be manufactured and configured for specific missions “quickly and affordably,” according to the company’s April 8 release. “Our customers need greater mission flexibility from smaller satellites that can be built more affordably, and delivered more quickly, without sacrificing quality,” said Boeing Phantom Works President Darryl Davis. There are three Phantom Phoenix configurations: the Phantom Phoenix class of 500 kilogram-to-1,000 kg satellites; the Phantom Phoenix ESPA class of 180 kg spacecraft; and the Phantom Phoenix Nano class of 4 kg-to-10 kg nanosatellites. Davis said the Phantom Phoenix line addresses the market “between large geosynchronous spacecraft and nanosatellites.” Boeing said it would conduct initial technology development for these satellites at its facility in Huntington Beach, Calif.
Due to the prolonged delay in deliveries of the Tech Refresh 3 version of the F-35 fighter, Denmark is pulling six of its TR-2-configured F-35 jets stationed in the U.S. back to home base in order to consolidate aircraft and get better training for its pilots and maintainers, the Danish…