Space Force Launches $4B Satellite Communications Contest

Securing Communications for American Warfighters

Reliable, interference-resistant communication is a critical need for U.S. military personnel. Consequently, the Space Force is allocating substantial funding – hundreds of millions of dollars – to guarantee the availability of such systems.

A key component of this initiative is the Protected Tactical Satcom (PTS) program. This program is dedicated to establishing secure communication networks for battlefield operations utilizing satellite technology.

Initial Contracts and Program Expansion

The Space Force has already committed funds to major defense contractors, Boeing and Northrop Grumman, for the development of prototype payloads intended for satellites in geostationary orbit.

The PTS program is now progressing to a new stage. Recently, the Space Force issued five further contracts focused on the design and demonstration of dedicated satellites. These satellites will deliver jam-resistant communication capabilities to tactical forces.

The contract recipients include Boeing, Northrop Grumman, Viasat, and Intelsat, alongside Astranis, a San Francisco-based startup with venture capital backing. Intelsat will be sourcing its satellite bus from K2 Space, another venture-backed company.

Financial Details and Timeline

The initial contract awards represent a combined total of $37.3 million. However, the program boasts a potential award ceiling of $4 billion, indicating the possibility of significantly larger contracts for the winning companies.

Each participating company will refine its satellite architectures through January 2026. Following this period, the Space Force will choose a single design and issue a further contract for the construction and launch of the first satellite, currently scheduled for 2028.

Subsequent production contracts are also anticipated to be awarded in 2028.

A Shift in Procurement Strategy

The PTS-G contracts represent a significant change in how the military traditionally acquires geostationary satellites. Historically, these projects involved lengthy development timelines and substantial costs, often exceeding hundreds of millions, even billions, of dollars per spacecraft.

In contrast, the Space Force is actively seeking to capitalize on the agility of commercial companies and foster competition by engaging multiple vendors during the initial phase of the program.

Leveraging Commercial Innovation

“Our PTS-G contract transforms how SSC acquires SATCOM capability for the warfighter,” stated Cordell DeLaPena Jr., program executive officer, in a press release. “The incorporation of commercial baseline designs to meet military capability significantly enhances the Space Force’s speed and efficiency to add capability to meet emerging threats.”

This approach aims to accelerate the delivery of essential communication capabilities to address evolving security challenges.