Sidus Space Completes LizzieSat Vibration Test with Fortis Maxima Ahead of October Launch
SIDU•Sidus Space’s next LizzieSat completed vibration testing in Florida ahead of an October 2026 Transporter-18 launch. This mission debuts the Fortis Maxima C&DH system with quad-core ARM, FPGA, NVIDIA AI and A-PNT, targeting TRL-9 on orbit.
1. Vibration Testing Milestone
Sidus Space’s LizzieSat underwent vibration testing at an Element U.S. Space & Defense facility in Orlando, verifying structural integrity and payload resilience under simulated launch conditions. This environmental qualification step is crucial for final integration and shipment to Vandenberg Space Force Base for the Transporter-18 mission.
2. Introduction of Fortis Maxima
The upcoming mission is the first to fly Sidus’s proprietary Fortis Maxima command and data handling system, featuring a quad-core ARM processor, reconfigurable FPGA, integrated NVIDIA AI engine and assured PNT suite. In-house design and manufacturing capabilities enabled seamless integration of this edge computing technology.
3. Technology Readiness Level Advancement
Successful operation of Fortis Maxima in orbit will elevate the system to Technology Readiness Level 9, denoting proven performance through mission operations. Achieving TRL-9 enhances the platform’s appeal for defense and commercial customers seeking validated on-orbit AI/ML processing.
4. Next Steps and Launch Timeline
Following vibration testing, the spacecraft enters final integration and testing before delivery to SpaceX’s Transporter-18 rideshare launch, currently set for October 2026. Sidus operates a vertically integrated 35,000-square-foot facility on Florida’s Space Coast that supports rapid, cost-effective mission delivery.
