Sponsored By Viasat
www.viasat.com/gov-uk
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20 Oct 21. Viasat Awarded DoD Defense Contract to Perform Vulnerability Assessment Tests in New Cybersecurity Pilot Program.
- Department of Defense Program to Automate Mission and Threat-based Security Assessments
Viasat Inc. (NASDAQ: VSAT), a global communications company, today announced it was awarded a Department of Defense (DoD) contract to provide vulnerability assessment testing and response support under a new pilot program focused on improving the cybersecurity and resilience of DoD weapon systems. Viasat will be the first external cybersecurity team to perform these assessments through the pilot, which aims to drive efficiencies to automate mission and threat-based security assessments at-scale using analytics and a proven methodology for intelligence gathering, threat modeling, vulnerability analysis and exploitation.
As part of the pilot, Viasat will analyze key components within a highly complex, interconnected DoD weapon system architecture that could be vulnerable to an attack. The analysis will also include cyber and software defined radio threat assessments to address networking, Internet of Things and radio frequency interfaces to the weapon system.
“DoD’s leadership focus on weapon system cyber resilience is essential. Recent cyberattacks against the U.S. government provide a clear reminder that we must minimize vulnerabilities through active insights and harden core networks,” said Craig Miller, president, Viasat Government Systems. “As the battlespace is modernizing quickly, and the use of commercial technologies and systems are being rapidly deployed in DoD’s infrastructure, performing robust vulnerability assessment tests is critical to identifying and addressing potential gaps in technology, as well as determining if platforms are potentially vulnerable to attack.”
Miller continued, “Viasat takes a holistic approach to cybersecurity and we’re excited to partner with the DoD to provide a comprehensive, scalable vulnerability assessment capability, leveraging the power of analytics-based automation to create efficiencies and enable rapid and continuous evaluations. This will help keep pace with commercial technology development and chart a path to artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) driven threat-based cybersecurity assessments.”
Viasat was selected based on its extensive experience and award-winning expertise in DoD cybersecurity, as well as its unique view of the threat landscape across global government and commercial services and a customizable approach to information security.
For 35 years, Viasat has been a provider of cybersecurity and information assurance systems to secure U.S. Government, critical infrastructure and commercial networks. As a global satellite internet service provider, Viasat protects its networks and prevents bns of cyberattacks daily. Its history and expertise, paired with expert analysis of data across its network, provides a diverse view of the global cyber threat landscape that allows for the creation and delivery of expert-level security solutions. (Source: ASD Network)
04 Nov 21. General Dynamics Mission Systems to Provide SATCOM-On-the-Move Antennas to GA-ASI. General Dynamics’ SATCOM-on-the-Move antenna completes qualification testing; begins production for use aboard SkyGuardian and SeaGuardian UAVs
General Dynamics Mission Systems announced today that it has completed qualification testing of the Ku-band variant of the SATCOM-on-the-Move (SOTM) Model 17-27A antenna as part of a contract awarded by General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc. (GA-ASI). Under this agreement, General Dynamics Mission Systems is providing initial production antennas for use aboard GA-ASI’s SkyGuardian and SeaGuardian unmanned aerial vehicles with follow-on orders for up to 52 additional antennas anticipated before December. The qualification testing and manufacturing of the antennas was performed at General Dynamics facilities in Scottsdale, Arizona and Taunton, Massachusetts.
The Federal Communications Commission-Earth Station in Motion compliant 17-27A SOTM Ku-band antenna will enable secure voice, video, and data satellite communications (SATCOM) between SkyGuardian and SeaGuardian UAVs and operators on the ground during missions. The antenna’s lightweight design which incorporates a precision multi-axis gimbal developed by GA-ASI is ideal for extended duration unmanned operation by supporting uninterrupted, high-bandwidth SATCOM capability.
“The 17-27A SATCOM-on-the-Move antenna is the latest in our line of secure and reliable, on-the-move communications for the most challenging operational environments where there is limited or no access to line-of-sight networks,” said Ryan Orth, vice president of RF Systems at General Dynamics Mission Systems. “By utilizing widely available commercial Ku-band satellite networks, these terminals significantly increase UAV operational flexibility and range.”
Earlier this year, General Dynamics Mission Systems completed qualification testing for the X-band variant of the SOTM Model 17-27A antenna and is currently delivering 20 units to GA-ASI. The X-band frequencies are specifically used by the U.S. and allied military for use on military Wideband Global Satcom and Skynet geosynchronous equatorial orbit (GEO) satellite networks. Beyond GEO, the antenna can also support medium Earth orbit (MEO) and low Earth orbit (LEO) tracking and communications as new SATCOM networks become available, making it virtually future-proof and protecting users’ investments.
The 17-27A has an interchangeable radio frequency (RF) payload design on a common gimbal. The antenna is modem-agnostic with open standard interfaces, permitting use on a wide variety of SATCOM networks.
General Dynamics SOTM products are available in a variety of sizes and configurations. They are specifically designed for rugged tactical environments and can be installed on fast-moving ground vehicles, maritime vessels, and aircraft to provide reliable X, Ku, or Ka military and commercial band satellite communications anytime, anywhere. To learn more about General Dynamics Mission Systems’ full line of SOTM products, visit here.
General Dynamics Mission Systems, a business unit of General Dynamics (NYSE: GD), provides mission-critical solutions to defense, intelligence and cyber-security customers across all domains. Headquartered in Fairfax, Virginia, General Dynamics Mission Systems employs more than 12,000 people worldwide. More information about General Dynamics Mission Systems’ portfolio of capabilities is available at gdmissionsystems.com.
SkyGuardian and SeaGuardian are registered trademarks of General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc.
03 Nov 21. Lockheed Martin Australia bolsters JP 9102 team.
A Sydney-based satellite communications company has joined the prime’s bid to secure Defence’s JP 9102 contract.
Av-Comm, a satellite communications infrastructure and services provider, has been selected to support Lockheed Martin Australia’s (LMA) bid to deliver a next-generation, sovereign military satellite communication (MILSATCOM) capability to the Australian Defence Force under the JP 9102 project.
If successful, Av-Comm will be tasked with supporting the installation of high capacity wide-band antenna and radio-frequency subsystems at several satellite ground stations.
The work would include overseeing design, implementation, integration, and testing.
This latest collaboration builds on Av-Comm’s long-standing relationship with LMA, with the local firm previously supplying space hardware and providing technical support to existing operations at LMA’s Uralla, NSW, ground station.
“Av-Comm has a rich heritage in satellite communications, with a trusted reputation for ground services and connecting people on the move,” David Ball, regional director at Lockheed Martin Australia Space, said.
“Av-Comm will help us deliver an operationally superior MILSATCOM solution for JP 9102 and enhance the trust, reliability and collaboration that our team represents.
“As Lockheed Martin Australia continues to grow its JP 9102 team, we are committed to strengthening Australia’s sovereign defence and space industry capability with a resilient MILSATCOM system that meets Australia’s strategic needs.”
Michael Cratt, Av-Comm managing director, welcomed the “unique and mutually beneficial” opportunity to support the delivery of Australia’s next-generation satellite communications capabilities.
“As we support Lockheed Martin Australia to develop and deliver a superior satellite system, we welcome their support for us in expanding and up-skilling our workforce, strengthening our capacity to contribute to Australia’s sovereign space industry,” Cratt added.
Av-Comm is the latest company to join the LMA team, following the likes of Shoal Group, Clearbox Systems and Ronson Gears.
The LMA-led team will be competing against a host of other major contractors, including Airbus, Boeing Defence Australia (BDA), and telecommunications giant Optus.
Airbus’ ‘Team Maier’ recently onboarded Canberra-based tech firm Willyama, which joined engineering and utilities provider UGL, satellite technology manufacturer Blacktree Technology and global tech giant Microsoft.
BDA’s team includes Leidos Australia, Viasat, the Indigenous Defence and Infrastructure Consortium, and Saber. Airbus, BDA and LMA have all requested the services of network infrastructure provider Clearbox Systems. Meanwhile, Optus, Raytheon Australia and Thales Australia have formed Team AUSSAT to support their push for the next-generation MILSATCOM contract. The JP 9102 tender is scheduled to close on 24 December. (Source: Defence Connect)
03 Nov 21. U.S. FCC approves Boeing bid to deploy satellites for broadband service. The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) on Wednesday said it had approved Boeing Co’s (BA.N) application to launch and operate 147 satellites to provide high-speed broadband internet access. Boeing first filed with the FCC in 2017 seeking approval to deploy a V-band Constellation of mostly low earth orbit satellites. The FCC did not approve Boeing’s request to operate inter-satellite links in certain frequency bands that are not allocated internationally for operations of the fixed-satellite service.
There is a growing effort to deploy satellite-based internet service.
In 2019, Elon Musk’s SpaceX urged the FCC to reject Boeing’s plan saying it presented a “clear danger of harmful interference” to other systems or “at a minimum impose appropriate conditions to ensure that Boeing’s operations do not harm those of other” operators.
In April, the FCC voted to approve a SpaceX plan to deploy some Starlink satellites at a lower earth orbit than planned as part of its push to offer space-based broadband internet.
SpaceX had asked the FCC for approval to fly 2,824 satellites at a lower orbit as part of the plan to provide high-speed broadband internet services to people who currently lack access.
In July 2020, Amazon said it would invest more than $10bn to build a network of 3,236 low-earth orbit satellites.
On Monday Amazon asked the FCC for approval to launch and operate two prototype satellites.
SpaceX, which plans to eventually deploy 12,000 satellites in total, has said previously the Starlink constellation will cost it roughly $10bn.
While extremely costly to deploy, satellite technology can provide high-speed internet for people who live in rural or hard-to-serve places where fiber optic cables and cell towers do not reach. The technology could also be a critical backstop when hurricanes or other natural disasters disrupt communication. (Source: Reuters)
03 Nov 21. National Reconnaissance Office wants satellite imagery from commercial providers. The National Reconnaissance Office is turning to industry for more satellite imagery, issuing a Nov. 3 request for proposals that could see contracts awarded in early 2022. The NRO has long been charged with developing, building and operating the nation’s fleet of spy satellites, but it was only recently made responsible for acquiring satellite imagery from commercial providers. That task had been the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency’s job, but the responsibility was passed to the NRO in 2017. The NRO then began looking into how commercial services could best fulfill the intelligence community’s needs, issuing several study contracts beginning in 2019 that allowed the agency to assess commercially available capabilities. Now, more than two years after the first study contracts were issued to Maxar, BlackSky and Planet, the agency has officially issued a request for proposals. The solicitation refers to the new program as the Electro-Optical Commercial Layer.
“The EOCL RFP is the culmination of months of collaboration with our stakeholders and is critical to meeting the needs of the national and military intelligence community,” Troy Meink, principal deputy director of the NRO, said in a statement.
Commercial Systems Program Director Pete Muend said the solicitation is only open to U.S.-owned and operated companies, which he said was driven by the agency’s desire to foster growth within the domestic imagery market.
“Global competition in commercial remote sensing is fierce, and while a growing number of U.S. companies are at the forefront, they are not alone,” Muend said in a statement. “We want to ensure that our U.S. industrial base is and remains competitive so they can continue to provide operational support to the IC and [the Department of Defense] in support of national security.”
The agency wouldn’t say how many contracts are up for grabs, how much money was allocated for the Electro-Optical Commercial Layer effort, nor how much imagery it intends to acquire through the program. Muend did say the agency currently consumes about 50,000 commercial images per week.
The agency’s primary source of commercial imagery is the EnhancedView contract, which the NRO inherited from the NGA and then extended. The new contracts are intended to improve upon EnhancedView. For example, they will emphasize common licenses that will enable easier, more standardized imagery dissemination.
“This next generation of commercial imagery contracts will be unique in many ways,” Muend said. “These commercial contracts are designed to afford broad levels of shareability and user-friendly license conditions that enable greater access to and utilization of commercial imagery by a diverse user community.”
While this first solicitation is specifically for traditional electro-optical imagery, the NRO is interested in using other phenomenologies under development by commercial providers. Following the initial 2019 study contracts to electro-optical imagery providers, the agency also issued study contracts for hyperspectral imagery, synthetic aperture radar and radio frequency remote sensing.
The NRO followed those up in October 2021 with the release of a new broad agency announcement framework for strategic commercial enhancements, which will provide a basis for acquiring different types of imagery. Although the first focus area is commercial radar, the agency plans to release multiple focus areas every year.
“This solicitation, coupled with NRO’s recent Broad Agency Announcement (BAA) Framework for Strategic Commercial Enhancements, demonstrates our shared commitment to the next wave of commercial innovation at the best value to the taxpayer,” Meink said. (Source: Defense News)
01 Nov 21. Commercial launch of Pléiades Neo. Airbus announced the commercial opening of Pléiades Neo 3 imagery, the first of our four satellite constellation launched end of April 2021. The primary set of images acquired just few days after the launch were breath-taking, and even before any adjustments. The commissioning phase which took place the weeks and months that followed, allowed fine-tuning this already impressive level of quality.
As of today, customers can order Pléiades Neo 3 data and task the satellite through OneAtlas platform to have access to 30cm native resolution data, combined with the largest swath and the highest geolocation accuracy available on the very high-resolution market.
The Pléiades Neo 4 satellite launched this summer is currently following the same calibration process, and its data should be made available within the next few weeks.
Comprising four identical satellites, the 100% Airbus manufactured, owned and operated Pléiades Neo constellation offers a native resolution of 30cm with an imaging swath of 14km, the widest in its category. Thanks to their unmatched agility, the constellation will be able to cover the entire Earth landmass five times per year. The new satellites will work hand in hand with the existing Pléiades satellites and the rest of the Airbus dozen-strong Earth observation satellite fleet.
02 Nov 21. Isotropic Systems and SES Redefine Global Satellite Services with First-Ever Multi-Orbit Field Tests. Isotropic Systems simultaneously connects multiple SES satellites across separate orbits to converge broadband satellite networks and provide industry-leading quality of service and experience
Isotropic Systems, the leading developer of transformational multi-link satellite technology, and SES today announced the successful completion of the first-ever simultaneous multi-orbit antenna field tests, a game-changing development empowering a new age of connectivity on land, in the air and at sea for both civil and defense communications.
Isotropic Systems’ UK-built multi-link antenna underwent a series of field tests at SES’s Manassas, Virginia teleport. The terminal established multiple simultaneous, full-performance link connections with SES satellites – linking to a geostationary (GEO) satellite while simultaneously connected with an O3b satellite in medium earth orbit (MEO).
Currently, users are reliant on legacy ground antennas which only connect to a single network at a time. This industry breakthrough enables satellite end-users to combine the best attributes of all available networks achieving superior network uptime and application performance. Isotropic’s deep tech solution multiplies the performance of single antenna solutions to transform the global appeal of satellite connectivity, ensuring critical defense communications infrastructure and delivering multiple broadband connections that are highly reliable:
- NATO and other international forces will finally be able to converge the most advanced military and secure commercial satellites, ensuring total mission assurance around the world.
- In the sky, aircraft pilots will be able to connect to the optimal satellites for navigation and ground communications, while passengers in the cabin can connect to entirely separate satellites in different orbits to access live television, super-fast broadband, and enhanced entertainment options with streaming and gaming.
- On the ground, the entire land transport sector will achieve ubiquitous, super-fast, always-on internet access, allowing people to work as if they were in the office even if they are riding on a train or bus, while remote locations can finally access high-speed broadband.
- At sea, ships can be tracked across the oceans, accelerating digital transformation for the shipping industry and super-fast internet will transform the experience for cruise ship passengers.
“We have removed the major bottleneck holding back the expansion of the satellite sector for both commercial and defense communications. Users can finally connect to as many satellites as they want, when they want, wherever they want and that’s a game-changer for enterprise, aero, maritime, government and defense,” said John Finney, founder and CEO of Isotropic Systems. “This test proves space is now open, as we mesh networks together in a way that is unparalleled, without compromise. We have delivered on our vision to combine the full performance of multiple antennas into one multi-link, solid state, software defined terminal without any restrictions.”
“The success of these multi-orbit antenna trials opens the door to a new level of multi-orbit service delivery, as we integrate our geostationary satellites with our second-generation low-latency, high-throughput O3b mPOWER system to provide seamless services for our customers,” said Steve Collar, CEO of SES. “Isotropic’s unique architecture enables our customers to be connected to multiple simultaneous beams from both GEO and MEO satellites, enabling us to deliver industry-defining performance and orbital resilience services. It is a game changer for resilient, secure, global networks built on SES’s state-of-the-art fleet.”
Mike Rudd, Head of Telecommunications Strategy at the UK Space Agency, said: “This is a significant breakthrough that will put UK technology developed by Isotropic Systems at the heart of meeting the unprecedented demand for global connectivity. It’s a great example of the innovation found within the UK’s growing space sector and has been made possible by our leading investments in telecommunications research through the European Space Agency.”
08 Sep 21. Yahsat selects SpaceX to launch its next-generation Thuraya 4-NGS satellite.
- Yahsat selects Falcon 9 to launch its Thuraya 4-NGS satellite
- SpaceX designs, manufactures and launches the world’s most advanced rockets and spacecraft
- Thuraya 4-NGS system will enable Yahsat to capitalise on future growth opportunities with advanced satellite communications that employ latest technologies
Al Yah Satellite Communications Company PJSC (“Yahsat” or “the Group”) listed on the Abu Dhabi Securities Exchange (“ADX”) under (SYMBOL: YAHSAT) (ISIN: AEA007501017), the UAE’s flagship satellite solutions provider, today announced that it has selected SpaceX’s Falcon 9 to launch Thuraya 4-NGS, the Group’s advanced satellite, which employs the latest satellite communications technologies, to expand Thuraya’s coverage across Europe, the Middle East, Central Asia and Africa.
SpaceX’s Falcon 9 was selected primarily due to its high reliability and advanced capabilities, underscoring Yahsat’s continued commitment to maximising quality and performance across its businesses.
SpaceX is a leader in the manufacture and launch of space technology and is consistently recognised for its ground-breaking innovation and relentless focus on simplicity and effectiveness. To date, SpaceX has successfully completed 128 launches.
Thuraya 4-NGS is expected to spur Yahsat’s growth across new and existing product lines, with the new technology enabling the Group to maintain its leading position as the global leader in the satellite communications industry by delivering higher capabilities and flexibility while increasing capacity and coverage across Europe, Africa, Central Asia and the Middle East, enabling next-generation connectivity solutions for all customer segments, including defence, government and enterprise. Yahsat plans to launch Thuraya 4-NGS in the second half of 2023, with operations scheduled to commence in 2024.
Ali Al Hashemi, Group Chief Executive Officer at Yahsat, said: “We are delighted to be launching Thuraya 4-NGS with SpaceX. With their capability and capacity for multi-launch sites, we are confident that they are the right provider for us. The agreement marks a significant milestone for Yahsat as we continue to develop our technology-enabled infrastructure to prepare for the next stage of our growth.”
“The UAE has established its position as a competitive player in the space industry by collaborating with global leaders such as SpaceX. At Yahsat, we will continue forging partnerships with the world’s most innovative companies to enhance our competitiveness, deliver on our ambitious growth and expansion plans, and continue to create value for our customers, shareholders and the UAE.”
“For launch of its advanced technology, Yahsat sought a reliable and high-performance ride to orbit. We’re proud it has selected Falcon 9, one of the world’s most frequently flown launch vehicles, and we look forward to a successful mission,” said SpaceX Vice President of Commercial Sales Tom Ochinero.
With operations in more than 150 countries spanning 5 continents, Yahsat is the preferred partner for reliable integrated satellite communication solutions and an industry centre of excellence for both government and commercial customers. The Company was established in the UAE in 2007 to meet the growing demand for satcom services by providing a secure and reliable means of global connectivity, regardless of geographic constraints. Thuraya, a subsidiary of Yahsat, operates the Thuraya satellite fleet and has a successful track record of over 20 years in providing innovative services in the global satellite communications sector.
29 Oct 21. Space Force Plans Up To $2.3bn In COMSATCOM Contracts. The planned buy with the largest potential value is for DoD-wide SATCOM services from commercial operators of p-LEO constellations, with multiple awards totaling $875m slated in August 2022. Beginning next month, the Space Force intends to issue a series of solicitations for commercial satellite communications bandwidth, equipment and services — with up to $2.3bn in awards to be issued between 2022 and 2023. The acquisition plan, outlined today in an industry briefing by Mike Nichols of the Commercial Satellite Communications Office (CSCO), covers COMSATCOM bandwidth from L-band to Ku-band to X-band for a variety of US military organizations, including Combatant Commands and the Space Force itself. Under the plan, CSCO intends to issue requests for proposals (RFPs) in 2021 worth up to $970.1m, and worth up to $1.33bn in 2022. The actual contract awards are expected to be made in 2022 and 2023, respectively.
According to the Breaking Defense Space Survey, which ran from mid-August to mid-September, nearly 54% of DoD officials responding consider COMSATCOM to be ‘extremely important’ in wartime, with another 34% tagging it as ‘very important.’ Indeed, Chief of Space Operations Gen. Jay Raymond has been pushing to increase Space Force’s reliance on commercial providers.
CSCO, headed by Clare Grason, is the sole DoD authority for acquisition of COMSATCOM services and capabilities. It serves as a middleman between commercial satellite operators and then matches the needs of various operational commands and other DoD customers to a provider — helping manage the contracting process. The office formerly was an arm of the Defense Information Systems Agency, but was transferred to Air Force Space Command in 2018 and now resides under Space Force’s acquisition unit, Space Systems Command.
In the slides presented by Nichols today, CSCO explained that its acquisitions cover four “service areas.”
- COMSATCOM Transponded Capacity (CTC) includes requirements with satellite bandwidth and power only, as well as limited engineering services such as link budgets and transmission plans. It allows customer-proposed waveforms and industry-approved solutions to apply leased bandwidth to meet individual requirements.
- COMSATCOM Subscription Services (CSS) are for use with fixed satellite services (FSS) or mobile satellite services (MSS). It uses contractor determined waveforms that are billed on a per-use basis. CSS includes rates for vendor-defined network management monitoring engineering, integration, licensing, and operations required to deliver the services.
- Complex Commercial SATCOM Solutions (CS3) allows DoD to build large, complex, custom satellite solutions. These include satellite transport (bandwidth), fixed or mobile satellite service, and service-enabling components such as terminals, handsets, and tail circuits with engineering services to integrate, operate, and maintain the solution.
- COMSATCOM Satellite Business Solutions (SBS) is a solution other than the FCSA solutions for FSS or MSS. Prospective acquisitions that are not anticipated to use FCSA solutions may utilize existing Blanket Purchase Agreements (BPAs), Indefinite-Delivery Indefinite-Quantity contracts (IDIQs) or using full and open competition.
Overall during 2021 and 2022, the planned acquisition with the largest potential value is for DoD-wide SATCOM services from commercial operators of large constellations in Low Earth Orbit, known as p-LEO, for “proliferated LEO,” satellites. That solicitation is expected to go out to industry in March 2022, with an award in August 2022 of an indefinite delivery/indefinite quantity (ID/IQ) contract worth up to $875m. However, that contract will not be managed by CSCO, according to the slides presented today, but rather by Space Systems Command at a higher level.
According to Nichols’ slides, CSCO will award multiple ID/IQ awards for p-LEO “satellite low-latency services, equipment and capabilities for all domains and use cases, to include both user-to-user capabilities and reach-back capabilities such as terrestrial back haul for end-to-end connectivity.”
The second largest planned buy is for the Army’s Blue Force Tracker II program that uses GPS and other signals to provide location information about friendly forces. The RFP is to be released in December 2021, with a contract award for up to $655 m planned for June 2022. The contract will include acquisition of “L-band channels, SHF satellite connectivity, internet service desk, rack hosting and hands-on support services at each satellite earth station, and Host Nation Agreement services.” (Source: Defense News Early Bird/Breaking Defense)
28 Oct 21. Following protest, Space Development Agency cancels, then reissues reworked satellite solicitation. Following protests filed with a government watchdog, the Space Development Agency is abandoning traditional Department of Defense contracting in favor of other transaction authority, a more flexible contracting method used for prototyping that has become popular with the military.
At issue are 144 satellites the agency wants industry to build for its National Defense Space Architecture, a proliferated constellation to be made up of hundreds of satellites in low Earth orbit. The satellites are meant to expand the so-called Transport Layer, a mesh network composed of satellites connected by optical links on orbit that can rapidly move data from space sensors to any location on the planet.
SDA issued a request for proposals for the satellites in August, with submissions due by Oct. 8. That same day, satellite operator Maxar Technologies filed a protest with the Government Accountability Office. While SDA wouldn’t comment on the substance of the protest, Director Derek Tournear said there was an appearance the agency favored a certain size or type of company over others.
“We want to avoid even any perception that [the Tranche 1 Transport Layer] competition is limited in any way. And because of that, we’re going to cancel that initial RFP, the RFP that closed on Oct. 8, and we will reissue our solicitation shortly that will be based on other transaction authority that will allow us more flexibility and the ability to remove clauses in question that gave this appearance of limitation,” said Tournear.
Because the OTA process is more streamlined than traditional contracting, Tournear said the move will have a limited impact on the agency’s schedule while giving it more flexibility in selecting the best contractor. Awards could be issued a month later than expected, but the satellites are still expected to launch in 2024, he said.
Tournear said his agency has struggled to convince industry it will be able to avoid vendor lock, something that has plagued Department of Defense space programs for years. In that environment, there is an expectation that whoever wins the initial contract will win all subsequent contracts, ensuring a long-term stream of revenue for the company while locking out everyone else.
Tournear has repeatedly said SDA will do things differently. The agency is building the National Defense Space Architecture in two year tranches, basically building out and replenishing the constellation with new contracts every two years. According to Tournear, the agency will hold full and open competitions for the next tranche of satellites every two years with a goal of avoiding vendor lock.
Despite that messaging, Tournear said industry was acting on the old way of doing things, where the failure to win an early contract meant they were shut out from future competition.
“That mentality pervades some of the industrial base and we’re trying to shift them, but I can understand that hesitation,” he said. “Until we actually demonstrate that through multiple acquisitions, I think you’re always going to have this mentality that people are going to want to ensure that they can fight as hard as they can to get an early award.”
In response to SDA’s decision to reissue the solicitation through an OTA, the Government Accountability Office dismissed the protest. This isn’t the first protest SDA has faced. After the agency issued two contracts for its first batch of missile warning satellites in 2020, two companies filed protests with the GAO. SDA opted to reevaluate its decision making process in response, ultimately confirming the original awards. SDA said the new solicitation would be issued shortly. (Source: C4ISR & Networks)
24 Oct 21. Free Flying Commercial Space Station — Starlab — To Be Developed By Nanoracks, Voyager Space + Lockheed Martin. Nanoracks, in collaboration with Voyager Space and Lockheed Martin [NYSE: LMT], has formed a team to develop the first-ever, free flying, commercial space station. The space station, known as Starlab, will be a continuously crewed commercial platform, dedicated to conducting critical research, fostering industrial activity as well as ensuring continued U.S. presence and leadership in LEO. Starlab is expected to achieve initial operational capability by 2027.
To meet U.S. government, international space agency and commercial needs in space, these industry leaders will develop Starlab specifically to enable the growing space economy and meet customer demand for space services, such as materials research, plant growth and astronaut activity. Together, these companies bring experience in commercial space use, engineering design and performance, technology innovation, and investment strategy.
NASA recently announced the Commercial Low-Earth Orbit (LEO) Destination (CLD) project to support the development of private space stations. CLD will stimulate a multifaceted LEO economy and provide science and crew capabilities in LEO before the International Space Station (ISS) retires.
Nanoracks will prime the Starlab development effort, leveraging more than a decade of experience as a pathfinder of, and global leader in, commercial ISS utilization. Voyager Space, the majority shareholder in Nanoracks, will lead strategy and capital investment. Lockheed Martin, a leader in developing and operating complex spacecraft, will serve as the manufacturer and technical integrator.
The basic elements of the Starlab space station include a large, inflatable habitat, designed and built by Lockheed Martin, a metallic docking node, a power and propulsion element, a large robotic arm for servicing cargo and payloads, and a state-of-the-art laboratory system to host a comprehensive research, science, and manufacturing capability. Starlab will be able to continuously host up to four astronauts for conducting critical science and research.
Nanoracks’ Starlab business model is designed to enable science, research, and manufacturing for global customers, and bring added value to long-duration sovereign astronaut missions. Starlab will also serve tourism and other commercial and business activities.
“Since the beginning, Nanoracks has sought to own and operate a private space station to fully unlock market demand,” said Jeffrey Manber, CEO and Co-Founder of Nanoracks. “Our team has spent the last decade learning the business of space stations, understanding customer needs, charting market growth, and self-investing in private hardware on the ISS like the Bishop Airlock. Nanoracks and our team are excited to work with NASA and our friends across the world as we move forward with Starlab.”
“We’re excited to be part of such an innovative and capable team—one that allows each company to leverage their core strengths,” said Lisa Callahan, vice president and general manager, Commercial Civil Space at Lockheed Martin. “Lockheed Martin’s extensive experience in building complex spacecraft and systems, coupled with Nanoracks’ commercial business innovation and Voyager’s financial expertise allows our team to create a customer-focused space station that will fuel our future vision. We have invested significantly in habitat technology which enables us to propose a cost-effective, mission-driven spacecraft design for Starlab.”
“Voyager Space is highly confident in the Starlab business model and its ability to be commercially sustainable and well capitalized,” said Dylan Taylor, Voyager Space Chairman and CEO. “Voyager Space sees numerous synergies leveraging the capabilities across our organization’s operating businesses, as well as within the Lockheed Martin ecosystem. We see this partnership as just the beginning of our work together.” (Source: Satnews)
24 Oct 21. Thales Alenia Space Built SES-17 + SYRACUSE 4A Satellites Successfully Launched By Arianespace. On Sunday, October 24, at 02:10 UTC, Ariane 5 lifted off from the Guiana Space Center (CSG) and successfully orbited two satellites built by Thales Alenia Space, those being SES-17, a telecommunications satellite operated by SES, and SYRACUSE 4A, a telecommunications satellite developed for the French Ministry of the Armed Forces.
Artistic rendition of SES-17 on-orbit, courtesy of SES.
The SYRACUSE 4A satellite, image courtesy of Arianespace.
With this 111th mission, Ariane 5 broke the record for the cumulative net mass ever delivered to Geostationary Transfer Orbit (GTO) by a single launcher. With a total performance of 11.2 metric tons, the mass of the Ariane 5’s payloads reached 10,264 kg at separation (6,411 kg for SES-17 and 3,853 kg for SYRACUSE 4A). For this mission, Ariane 5 also reached a height of 56.4 meters, thanks to a 1.5 meter extension placed under the long fairing.
This launch sent two satellites into orbit:
- SES-17
This High Throughput telecommunication satellite (HTS) provides excellent coverage over the Americas, the Caribbean and the Atlantic Ocean and has been designed to transform the aviation connectivity landscape, address data demands across maritime, government and enterprise segments, as well as to accelerate digital inclusion initiatives. It features almost 200 spot beams, the power of which can be dynamically adjusted in step with customers’ changing requirements. It is also the first SES satellite to have a totally digital payload, powered by an advanced digital transparent processor (DTP), enabling far greater flexibility and efficiency than previously available. The satellite will form a multi-orbit network adaptable to varying bandwidth and latency requirements, operating with SES’ next generation non-geosynchronous satellite system, O3b mPOWER.
The Thales Alenia Space’s 5th generation Digital Transparent Processor (DTP) embarked on SES-17 allows for easy frequency conversions as well as unlimited gateway switching and traffic routing. Combined to flexible amplifiers, it will meet customer’s changing requirements and real time traffic demands.
SES-17 marks an important milestone in satellite technology as the first Ka-band geostationary satellite to embark a fully digital payload powered the most powerful digital transparent processor (DTP) ever placed in orbit. It will have nearly 200 user beams that can be connected to any other beam at any time. This, combined with the ability to dynamically change the power and frequency allocation of any beam, means that SES-17 can adapt to changing customer needs in real-time.
This also the first GEO satellite to use Adaptive Resource Control (ARC), an industry-first software system that leverages the full flexibility of totally digital payloads to autonomously adapt space and ground resources on the fly to meet customer needs.
Equipped with an all-electric propulsion system, the satellite will reach orbit as of mid-2022. When operational, anchor customer Thales InFlyt Experience will use SES-17’s connectivity to power its next-generation aviation connectivity solution, FlytLIVE. Thales InFlyt Experience will ensure both crew and passengers will have an always-on high-speed Wi-Fi connection at peak times and in high-traffic routes while optimizing bandwidth.
- SYRACUSE 4A
This military communications satellite, commissioned by the Armament General Directorate DGA, will allow to connect the armed forces together when deployed. At sea, in the air or on the ground, militaries need secured and powerful communication means in order to be able to exchange information with the command center. Thanks to its state-of-the-art equipment (anti-jamming antenna and digital transparent processor on board), SYRACUSE 4A will guarantee a high resistance to extreme jamming methods. At the service of France’s sovereignty, the satellite will also support NATO and European-led operations.
Developed under the leadership of the DGA in close coordination with the national center for space studies (CNES), the Space Command of the French Air and Space Force and the other armed forces, SYRACUSE 4A was built by Thales Alenia Space. In the upcoming years, two other military telecommunications satellites will join it in order to create a constellation that will serve the needs of the Armed forces in an ever-growing digitalization of the battlefield. SYRACUSE 4A will connect most naval vessels, moving armored vehicles or aircraft: in particular Griffon armored vehicles, upcoming Suffren attack submarines or the tanker Phoenix.
The Syracuse IV defense communications satellite segment, comprising three satellites, of which the first 2, Syracuse 4A and Syracuse 4B, are built for the French defense procurement agency DGA (Direction Générale de l’Armement) by the industrial consortium formed by Thales Alenia Space and Airbus Defence and Space. Thales Alenia Space is in charge of the Syracuse 4A satellite and co responsible with Airbus Defence and Space of the payloads for both satellites. Initiating the replacement of the previous generation, Syracuse 4A is designed to be compatible with the existing system, while also delivering expanded capacity and new functions for armed forces, especially greater throughput, capacity and flexibility, along with a broader coverage zone. Because of this flexibility, the satellite can meet the needs of forces deployed anywhere in the coverage zone, while also efficiently managing its X-band and Ka-band resources. Unlike commercial satellites, the Syracuse satellites have to resist a wide variety of potential threats, including jamming, to guarantee service continuity and resilience. Built on the all-electric Spacebus NEO platform, Syracuse 4A features the latest cyber-defense and data encryption technologies – two areas in which Thales is a leader for both terrestrial and space applications.
For Syracuse IV, Telespazio, Joint Venture between Leonardo (67 %) and Thales (33 %), is in charge of the orbital positioning and station keeping for the satellites and will support the Ministry of the Armed Forces by contributing to its valorization and exploitation during the next 15 years. Thales is supplying the ground segment, which will rely on its highly, protected, secure and high-performance Modem 21 transmission system, as well as hardened tactical and naval ground stations, to guarantee the availability and confidentiality of all communications and provide protection from the full spectrum of threats. SYRACUSE is the French military satellite communications (MILSATCOM) program that kicked off in 1980. It handles all military communications between headquarters in France and units deployed in different theaters of operation. The program is designed to provide an independent solution to meet France’s need for long-range, secure telecommunications, protected against electronic warfare. Three generations of Syracuse satellites built by Thales Alenia Space were deployed between 1984 and 2015.
SES-17 and SYRACUSE 4A will be the 164th and 165th Thales Alenia Space satellites to be launched by Arianespace.
“With this new success for Ariane 5, which comes a week after its previous launch, Arianespace is delighted to serve the interests of two loyal customers, the operator SES and the French Ministry of the Armed Forces”, said Stéphane Israël, Chief Executive Officer of Arianespace. “VA255, by putting two highly innovative satellites manufactured by Thales Alenia Space into orbit, demonstrates once again the competitiveness and reliability of our launch solutions serving the ambitions of our private and institutional clients. Dedicated to connectivity and security, these satellites are at the core of our mission: Space for a better life on Earth. The next challenge for Ariane 5 will be the launch of NASA’s space telescope, James Webb, in partnership with the European Space Agency. Mission to Success!”
“With all the European industrial partners of the Ariane 5 program, we are proud to have set a new world record for performance to geostationary transfer orbit, serving two major and long-standing Arianespace customers. We continue to improve the European heavy launcher, and there are now six Ariane 5 launches left before it definitely enters the legend as the most reliable launcher in the world, much to the benefit of Ariane 6 that will take over flight duties in 2022. ArianeGroup is determined to innovate more and more to provide Europe with an ever more reliable access to Space,” said André-Hubert Roussel, CEO of ArianeGroup.
“This launch of SES-17 is an exciting milestone for our FlytLIVE Connectivity Solution currently flying within the United States,” said Craig Olson, Vice President at Thales InFlyt Experience. “The network and satellite architecture was specifically developed for the unique connectivity requirements of our commercial aviation customers and their passengers. With SES-17, FlytLIVE will provide full coverage for the entire Americas and North Atlantic Corridor delivering an unmatched connectivity experience in the air.”
“We are immensely excited to have SES-17 join our GEO fleet and medium earth orbit (MEO) constellation. SES-17 is the fruit of a successful collaboration between the Thales Group, Thales Alenia Space and SES, and will enable us to address the exponential connectivity demands in aviation and maritime, and to accelerate digital inclusion initiatives across the Americas,” said Steve Collar, CEO of SES. “Thanks to Arianespace, SES-17 is now on its way to orbit. We are looking forward to SES customers being able to leverage the high throughput, global reach and low-latency of SES’s multi-orbit, interoperable Ka-band satellite network comprising SES-17 and our upcoming O3b mPOWER constellation.”
“What a launch – SES-17 has mobilized all Thales Alenia Space experts – from the innovative design of the satellite itself to the last combined operations – and is now on its way to orbit. Fully-digital and highly-innovative, SES-17 will benefit from all the state-of-art technologies we have developed to fulfil the market’s connectivity needs,” said Herve Derrey CEO of Thales Alenia Space.
ArianeGroup is the prime contractor in charge of the development and production of the Ariane 5 and Ariane 6 launchers. It leads an industrial network comprising more than 600 companies, including 350 small and medium-size enterprises (SME). ArianeGroup oversees the entire Ariane 5 industrial supply chain, from design studies and upgrades to production and mission-specific data and software. The supply chain encompasses equipment and structures, manufacture of the propulsion systems, stage integration, then integration of the launcher in French Guiana. ArianeGroup delivers a flight-ready vehicle on the launch pad to its subsidiary Arianespace, which operates the flight starting with liftoff on behalf of its customers.
SES’ vision is to deliver amazing experiences everywhere on Earth by distributing the highest quality video content and providing seamless connectivity around the world. As the leader in global content connectivity solutions, SES operates the world’s only multi-orbit constellation of satellites with the combination of global coverage and high performance, including the commercially-proven, low-latency Medium Earth Orbit O3b system. By leveraging a vast and intelligent, cloud-enabled network, SES is able to deliver high-quality connectivity solutions anywhere on land, at sea or in the air, and is a trusted partner to the world’s leading telecommunications companies, mobile network operators, governments, connectivity and cloud service providers, broadcasters, video platform operators and content owners. SES’s video network carries more than 8,650 channels and has an unparalleled reach of 361 m households, delivering managed media services for both linear and non-linear content. The company is listed on Paris and Luxembourg stock exchanges (Ticker: SESG). (Source: Satnews)
27 Oct 21. Astra Must Delay Their USSF Payload Launch. On October 12, 2021, Astra announced that a launch window would open on October 27, 2021, for a commercial orbital launch on behalf of the United States Space Force (USSF) from the Pacific Spaceport Complex in Kodiak, Alaska (the “Spaceport”). While the company is ready to begin launch preparations for LV0007, the Spaceport has informed the company that they have not yet completed some planned improvements for the range. As a result, Astra will not be able to complete the preparations for a launch of LV0007 until some time during the second segment of this launch window, starting on November 5, 2021. Many different factors influence when the firm can launch, including factors driven by third parties over whom there is no direct company control. Astra set a launch window that would allow the firm to evaluate these factors and ensure that conditions are optimal for a launch. As a result, Astra may not attempt a launch on the first day of a launch window if conditions are not optimal for a launch. When a launch attempt is scheduled, the company will update their website with the date and time. When the phrase “commercial orbital launch” is used, Astra means a launch conducted under an FAA commercial launch license. (Source: Satnews)
28 Oct 21. Joint Venture Agreement Signed By OneWeb + NEOM Tech & Digital Holding Company For High-Speed SATCOM Connectivity. NEOM Tech & Digital Holding Company and OneWeb have signed a $200m, joint venture agreement to bring high-speed satellite connectivity to NEOM, a planned futuristic city that will be located in northwestern Saudi Arabia. The first holding company to be established as a subsidiary of NEOM, NEOM Tech & Digital Holding Company plans to also deliver satellite connectivity to the planned city and the wider Middle East and neighboring East African countries.
The partnership will see the deployment of OneWeb’s LEO satellite constellation, which that will provide the rapid and reliable connectivity to enable NEOM’s ecosystem of cognitive technologies as well as transform businesses and rural communities in the region where access to fiber-like internet was previously beyond reach. The agreement also includes a long-term strategic partnership regarding research and development of future connectivity systems.
The relationship between OneWeb with Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Communications and Information Technology and the Ministry of Investment has contributed to the consolidation of this agreement in order to enhance the vision of the emerging space technology sector in Saudi Arabia and provide it to private investors.
Currently, OneWeb uses the latest security protection employed in advanced mobile networks. NEOM Tech & Digital Hold Co. will be trialing technologies to provide further security protection as well as testing new, more robust and resistant positioning and navigation solutions.
“It is a great pleasure to witness the signing of the joint venture between NEOM and OneWeb, which is a testament to Saudi Arabia’s promising future in the space technology sectors. Today’s agreement will contribute to economic growth and accelerate digital and communications knowledge transfer to the Kingdom through the transformative NEOM vision,” said Khalid al-Falih, Saudi Minister of Investment. (Source: Satnews)
27 Oct 21. DARPA + NGA Develop Novel Optics To Field Military + Government Imaging Systems Prototypes To Support Warfighters. EXTREME, a basic research program in DARPA’s Defense Sciences Office, has successfully developed new optical components, devices, systems, architectures, and design tools using engineered optical materials, or metamaterials.
DARPA’s EXTREME program developed optical materials technologies that the Air Force Research Laboratory is implementing on the Air Force’s XQ-58 Valkyrie program (left) and the Air Launched Off-Board Operations (ALOBO) program, a tube-launched unmanned aerial system (middle). A close-up (right) shows a small gimbal housing new EXTREME technologies.
Metamaterials are composed of unit cells that are much smaller than the operating wavelength, allowing for greater manipulation of light. Early examples of metamaterials were used to design and build multifunctional elements that seemingly defied standard “laws” of reflection and refraction. These were limited in efficiencies and in sizes less than a millimeter, prohibiting their integration into optical systems.
EXTREME addressed these challenges by improving efficiencies of lenses based on metamaterials, expanded their apertures to centimeter-scale, developed methods to reduce the effect of optical aberrations, and explored new optical design space and associated tradeoffs in size, weight, and power (SWaP) afforded by such metalenses.
The program kicked off in 2016 with multiple performers developing centimeter-scale metamaterials-based optics (metaoptics) and tools to design them. The program was soon able to enable revolutionary improvement in SWaP characteristics of traditional optical systems as well as allow for multiple imaging applications from a single lens.
In 2018, DARPA partnered with the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency’s Research Directorate to transition meta-optics concepts to unmanned aerial systems’ (UAS) optical systems.
This NGA Metalenses program funded the Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) for multi-centimeter, meta-optics development and characterization, the Naval Research Laboratory for volumetric 3D metamaterial imaging capabilities, and Sandia National Laboratories for large-scale metalens modeling and optimization.
The above-mentioned EXTREME technologies are now transitioning from NGA to AFRL under its Seedlings for Disruptive Capabilities Program (SDCP). Through SDCP, AFRL directorates partner with industry to answer critical needs of the Air Force Futures Strategy. EXTREME technologies are being employed in several SDCP projects: Integrated Compact Electro-Optic (EO)/Infrared (IR) Systems (ICES); the XQ-58 Valkyrie experimental stealthy unmanned combat aerial vehicle; and the Air Launched Off-Board Operations (ALOBO) program, a tube-launched UAS.
ICES is exploiting discoveries made under EXTREME to enable mounting multifunction sensors on low-cost platforms, such as UAS, to be deployed in contested environments. These smaller platforms have more stringent volume constraints and weight restrictions than legacy platforms, so adding a new sensor usually requires removing an existing one. The introduction of compact metalenses and planar optics for EO/IR capabilities disrupts the trade space, potentially enabling multiple sensors on a single platform, thus increasing capability.
AFRL is relying on EXTREME technology to modify the EO/IR systems on two developmental platforms: the XQ-58 and ALOBO. For the XQ-58, AFRL is looking to reduce the volume of existing sensors to make room for additional sensors. For ALOBO, AFRL is modifying the tube-launch compatible gimbal system. Advances in optics by DARPA and NGA allow AFRL to realize new trade space for the gimbal with either 10x reduction in SWaP while maintaining current performance or 4x improvement in resolution at current SWaP requirements.
“Through the NGA effort, AFRL developed unique capabilities using EXTREME technologies to characterize the optical performance of novel meta-optics and developed new insights into how they could be integrated into a full imaging system,” said Rohith Chandrasekar, program manager in DARPA’s Defense Sciences Office. “This work was also supported by Sandia’s MIRAGE tool, which is a first-of-its-kind capability developed under DARPA EXTREME and NGA Metalenses programs, that exploits symmetries to enable large-scale metalens design and optimization to meet performance metrics.”
“Our close partnership with DARPA and the performers on the EXTREME program has enabled us to rapidly mature and demonstrate new technology for optical systems, which increases imaging system performance to address future system needs where conventional optics cannot meet performance or cost requirements,” said Paul Fleitz, ALOBO team lead in AFRL’s Aerospace Systems Directorate. “Transitioning this technology and design tools developed under the EXTREME program to AFRL SDCP programs has dramatically accelerated the development and demonstration of this technology and increased the impact of the development program.”
EXTREME is a critical example of a successful partnership between DARPA, NGA, and AFRL to provide rapid transition from basic research to fieldable next-generation technology to support the warfighter. (Source: Satnews)
27 Oct 21. Verizon + Amazon’s Project Kuiper Now Involved In A Strategic Collaboration. Verizon Communications Inc. (NYSE, Nasdaq: VZ) and Amazon’s Project Kuiper have announced a strategic collaboration to develop connectivity solutions for unserved and underserved communities. As part of the collaboration, Project Kuiper and Verizon have begun to develop technical specifications and define preliminary commercial models for a range of connectivity services for U.S. consumers and global enterprise customers operating in rural and remote locations around the world.
Project Kuiper is an initiative to increase global broadband access through a constellation of 3,236 satellites in LEO around the planet. The system will serve individual households, as well as schools, hospitals, businesses and other organizations operating in places where internet access is limited or unavailable. Amazon has committed an initial $10 bn to the program, which will deliver fast, affordable broadband to customers and communities around the world.
The partnership seeks to expand coverage and deliver new customer-focused connectivity solutions that combine Amazon’s advanced LEO satellite system and Verizon’s world-class wireless technology and infrastructure. To begin, Amazon and Verizon will focus on expanding Verizon data networks using cellular backhaul solutions from Project Kuiper. The integration will leverage antenna development already in progress from the Project Kuiper team, and both engineering teams are now working together to define technical requirements to help extend fixed wireless coverage to rural and remote communities across the United States.
This partnership will also pave the way for Project Kuiper and Verizon to design and deploy new connectivity solutions across a range of domestic and global industries, from agriculture and energy to manufacturing and transportation. The Kuiper System is designed with the flexibility and capacity to support enterprises of all sizes. By pairing those capabilities with Verizon’s wireless, private networking and edge compute solutions, the two will be able to extend connectivity to businesses operating and deploying assets on a global scale.
Verizon Chairman and CEO Hans Vestberg said, “Project Kuiper offers flexibility and unique capabilities for a LEO satellite system, and we’re excited about the prospect of adding a complementary connectivity layer to our existing partnership with Amazon. We know the future will be built on our leading 5G network, designed for mobility, fixed wireless access and real-time cloud compute. More importantly, we believe that the power of this technology must be accessible for all. Today’s announcement will help us explore ways to bridge that divide and accelerate the benefits and innovation of wireless connectivity, helping benefit our customers on both a global and local scale.” Connecting unserved and underserved communities in the United States.”
Amazon CEO Andy Jassy said, “There are bns of people without reliable broadband access, and no single company will close the digital divide on its own. Verizon is a leader in wireless technology and infrastructure, and we’re proud to be working together to explore bringing fast, reliable broadband to the customers and communities who need it most. We look forward to partnering with companies and organizations around the world who share this commitment.” Delivering new connectivity solutions for global enterprise customers.” (Source: Satnews)
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At Viasat, we’re driven to connect every warfighter, platform, and node on the battlefield. As a global communications company, we power ms of fast, resilient connections for military forces around the world – connections that have the capacity to revolutionize the mission – in the air, on the ground, and at sea. Our customers depend on us for connectivity that brings greater operational capabilities, whether we’re securing the U.S. Government’s networks, delivering satellite and wireless communications to the remote edges of the battlefield, or providing senior leaders with the ability to perform mission-critical communications while in flight. We’re a team of fearless innovators, driven to redefine what’s possible. And we’re not done – we’re just beginning.
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