Zenith Tecnica to manufacture structural components for Maxar Space Systems’ Tranche 2 Tracking Layer satellites
April 14, 2025
Zenith Tecnica, based in Auckland, New Zealand, has been selected by space technologies provider Maxar Space Systems, Westminster, Colorado, USA, to manufacture structural components for the Tranche 2 Tracking Layer Program.
“We are incredibly proud to be chosen by Maxar Space Systems as their trusted ongoing titanium Additive Manufacturing partner,” said Heather Grace, Director and owner of Zenith Tecnica. “Their team consistently demonstrates a forward-thinking mindset, and we are always impressed by their dedication to quality-driven results. Through our longstanding partnership, including our collaboration on the Tranche 1 Tracking Layer Program, we have built a joint team approach that has helped optimise design for manufacture and ensured project success.”
Pursuant to an award from L3Harris Technologies in 2024, Maxar Space Systems was selected to design and produce 18 spacecraft platforms to support the Tranche 2 Tracking Layer programme. These 18 satellites will be built using Maxar Space Systems’ Maxar 300 Series proliferated Low Earth Orbit (pLEO) platform. The Tranche 2 Tracking Layer is part of the Space Development Agency’s (SDA) focus on providing global identification, warning, and tracking of conventional and advanced threats, including hypersonic missile threats.
As one of Maxar Space Systems’ longest-standing Additive Manufacturing suppliers, Zenith Tecnica has hundreds of large structural components on-orbit in various Maxar Space Systems-built satellites and spacecraft, with hundreds more currently in production. Utilising titanium Additive Manufacturing has allowed Maxar Space Systems to design complex node and bracket systems to support and hold large structures together that otherwise would have been difficult and costly to produce. These applications are one of many ways Maxar Space Systems has worked to make the most out of EBM’s powerful and unique capabilities.
Logan Nutsford, Engineering Manager of Zenith Tecnica, shared, “Our relationship with the Maxar Space Systems team has grown and developed over the past decade. We are excited to continue working together to deliver components for their constellation system platforms and look forward to supporting them further as they continue leveraging our strengths through EBM production.”
