York Space Systems and SpaceX, two companies involved in building satellites for the Space Development Agency (SDA) megaconstellation, successfully demonstrated a laser link connection between two of their on-orbit spacecraft. This event highlights the collaboration between the firms while working on the SDA’s satellite systems.
During the demonstration, York utilized one of its communication satellites, designed for the first iteration of the SDA’s constellation, to establish a link with a SpaceX missile tracking satellite. The lasers used for communication facilitate rapid and secure information transmission between the satellites.
This milestone is particularly important for the SDA as it seeks to develop a low-Earth orbit network that includes missile tracking and data transport satellites from various suppliers. Establishing connectivity between different satellites is crucial for confirming the feasibility of the technology involved.
York Space Systems emphasized that this ability promotes seamless communication across different platforms, thereby ensuring interoperability, enhancing market competition, and fostering innovation within the space industry.
The demonstration followed months of rigorous ground testing conducted at the Naval Research Laboratory. Vendors associated with the SDA were required to verify that their systems could effectively share data with other satellites using a standardized interface called the Optical Communication Terminal Protocol.
SDA Director Derek Tournear indicated in September that the agency’s focus has been on ensuring satellite systems can communicate and share information seamlessly. Failure to achieve interoperability could hinder a critical aspect of SDA’s mission, which aims to deviate from traditional defense acquisition strategies that limit capability growth to a small number of vendors. Instead, the SDA envisions an environment where satellites can be replaced consistently with newer, more advanced systems.
Tournear expressed his concerns about the risks of vendor lock-in and emphasized the importance of interoperable solutions. He noted that a failure in communication between satellites could lead to a “stovepiped” model, reminiscent of the traditional Department of Defense approach.
In addition to York and SpaceX, the SDA’s current contractor pool includes notable companies such as Lockheed Martin, L3Harris, Sierra Space, and Northrop Grumman. As of October, the agency has selected 19 companies to compete for experimental missions as part of the Hybrid Acquisition for Proliferated Low Earth Orbit (HALO) effort.
To date, the SDA has successfully placed 27 satellites in orbit as part of “Tranche 0” of its proliferated constellation. The agency aims to deploy 160 Tranche 1 satellites by the end of this year, with an ambitious target of 1,000 satellites by 2026. The first batch of Tranche 1 satellites is anticipated to launch in March or April.
Courtney Albon serves as C4ISRNET’s reporter specializing in space and emerging technologies. Since 2012, she has covered various aspects of the U.S. military, focusing on the Air Force and Space Force along with critical challenges related to defense acquisition, budget, and policy.