NATIONAL HARBOR, Md. — A space-focused program by the Space Development Agency (SDA) aims to bring clearer communications and faster data transfer to military units. The SDA has launched 27 low Earth orbit satellites and plans to have 160 satellites in orbit by the end of 2025, with some dedicated to missile warning and control missions.
Marines at Camp Lejeune have recently started using the Starshield system, delivering high bandwidth and low latency services. Satellite communications, like the SDA program, enable the crisis response mission and Force Design changes in the Marine Corps, positioning the service for distributed, long-range operations.
Link 16 connectivity has been demonstrated using satellites from the SDA, allowing for better communication between various platforms. The SDA is developing layers like the transport layer to create a mesh network of communications satellites connecting ground stations.
The SDA program plans to create a hybrid satellite terminal for troops to switch between different satellite networks easily. While the low Earth orbit satellites offer new communication options, backup communication methods like single-channel radios should also be available for Marines.
