Space Force Bets on Commercial Innovation for Secure Satellite Comms
Space Force Aims for Jam-Proof Comms with $4B Satellite Program
The U.S. Space Force is serious about ensuring its warfighters have secure, jam-proof communications. To that end, they're investing heavily in the Protected Tactical Satcom (PTS) program, aiming to create robust battlefield communications through satellites. Think of it as building a super-secure, space-based phone network for troops in the field.
Previously, big defense players like Boeing and Northrop Grumman received contracts to develop prototype payloads for satellites in geostationary orbit. Now, the Space Force is expanding the field.
Recently, five new contracts were awarded for designing and demonstrating specialized satellites built to resist jamming. While Boeing, Northrop Grumman, and Viasat are familiar names, Astranis, a San Francisco startup, is shaking things up. It's also worth noting that Intelsat will source its satellite bus from another startup, K2 Space. I think this is a smart move, as these smaller companies can bring fresh perspectives and innovative solutions.
These initial contracts are relatively small, totaling $37.3 million. However, the program has a massive $4 billion ceiling, meaning these companies could potentially land much bigger deals.
Each company has until January 2026 to develop their designs. After that, the Space Force will pick a winner and award an additional contract for the first satellite, which is scheduled to launch in 2028. Further production awards will follow in the same year. It's a long game, but the potential payoff is huge.
What's particularly interesting about these PTS-G contracts is that they represent a shift in how the military typically acquires geostationary satellites. In the past, these projects took ages and cost a fortune, often hundreds of millions or even billions of dollars per satellite. It's nice to see they are trying something different.
This time, the Space Force is clearly trying to leverage the agility of commercial companies and foster competition by choosing multiple vendors for the initial stage. It's a smart strategy that could lead to faster innovation and more cost-effective solutions. As Cordell DeLaPena Jr. puts it, incorporating commercial designs will significantly enhance the Space Force's speed and efficiency in meeting emerging threats.
In my opinion, this approach makes a lot of sense. By embracing commercial innovation, the Space Force can potentially get better technology, faster, and at a more reasonable cost.
Source: TechCrunch