Deep Purple payload successfully deployed and operational

The Deep Purple telescope, developed by Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL), has been successfully deployed and is now operational in space. This innovative instrument features a compact optical system capable of performing simultaneous ultraviolet (UV) and short-wave infrared astronomy, a capability that is rare for small satellites. The deployment occurred on August 16, 2024, when SpaceX launched NASA’s Pathfinder Technology Demonstrator-R (PTD-R) satellite, which carries the Deep Purple payload. Following its deployment, PTD-R achieved "first light," successfully collecting and downlinking its initial images. The telescope will observe various celestial bodies and satellites, focusing on the UV spectrum, which is only accessible from space due to Earth's ozone layer. The project was completed in under a year and for less than $1 million, showcasing the efficiency of LLNL's spacecraft engineering team. The observation campaign is set to begin on September 2, 2024, with plans to survey the Earth background and the galactic bulge. The PTD-R spacecraft is currently in low-Earth orbit at an altitude of approximately 520 kilometers.

- The Deep Purple telescope is now operational in space after its successful deployment.

- It features a unique design for UV and short-wave infrared astronomy.

- The project was completed in under a year and cost less than $1 million.

- The observation campaign will start on September 2, 2024.

- The PTD-R satellite is in low-Earth orbit at about 520 kilometers altitude.