NASA has selected three companies to develop a concept for a Ka-band space communications relay compatible with current space missions. The proposed capability is intended to maintain service for existing spacecraft without requiring changes to their onboard systems, as NASA moves toward buying commercial communications services for future missions.
Commercial Ka-band relay development
Through the initiative, NASA aims to become one of multiple customers in the commercial market for end-to-end solutions covering space and ground systems, launch, operations, and integration.
The awards are fixed-price contracts issued under Appendix E of the Next Space Technologies for Exploration Partnerships-3 Broad Agency Notice. NASA may provide additional funding of up to the value of each award to advance the work from early concept development and risk mitigation through an in-orbit flight demonstration.
The initial performance period is listed as running from November 4, 2027, to May 3, 2027. The contracts also include a cost option to continue the work through 2029.
Contract recipients
The potential maximum value of each contract, including all future options, is:
- Astranis Space Technologies Corp.: $264.3 million
- Acquired Global Enterprise Solutions Inc.: $340.4 million
- Viasat Inc.: $460.9 million
Supporting missions during the transition to commercial services
The effort is being managed through the Communications Services Project within NASA’s SCaN, or Space Communications and Navigation, program. It supports NASA’s decision to phase out its tracking and data relay satellite fleet and adopt commercial communications services for future missions.
Alongside commercial capabilities already being developed by the program’s industry partners, Ka-band services are needed for some spacecraft already in orbit. These missions cannot modify their flight hardware or move to commercial services that are incompatible with their existing systems.
For more information about acquiring NASA’s Network Enhanced Ka-band services for user continuity and sustainability, please visit NASA’s relevant program resources.
Jennifer Doeren / Jessica Tabor
Headquarters, Washington
202-358-1600
[email protected] / [email protected]
Source: www.nasa.gov