Innovative national security applications for small satellites will likely grow from small technology companies, rather than from the traditional manufacturers of military space systems-Boeing, Lockheed Martin and Northrop Grum-man. Sierra Nevada is one such company positioning itself to be a player. The systems integrator is known for its rapid-turnaround work on classified efforts such as the Army's Task Force ODIN intelligence-collection aircraft in Iraq. Sierra Nevada acquired MicroSat Systems in January 2008 and SpaceDev in December, and expects the market for small satellites to grow for commercial customers as well as thernmilitary, says Mike Meermans, vice president of strategic planning.
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