Hughes receives 42.5 million dollar contract from United States Space Force

Hughes Network Systems secured a 42.5 million dollar task order on October 29, 2026, from Space Systems Command, SatNews reported. Hughes Network Systems is an EchoStar company based in Germantown, Maryland. Space Systems Command is the field command of the United States Space Force responsible for space development, acquisition, launch, and logistics. [1][2][3]

According to SatNews, the task order requires Hughes to develop and deploy an automated Enterprise Management and Control architecture across defense communications networks. The award tasks the company with delivering unified multi-orbit operational control software that connects military and commercial satellite communication systems into a synchronized network. [1][2]

SatNews reported that Hughes will integrate its Terminal Management Agent software and automated resource-sharing algorithms under the task order. The software and algorithms will be installed into deployed military user terminals and enterprise ground nodes. [1][2]

As FTMQ Space reported earlier, Space Systems Command launched an initiative on October 22, 2026, to streamline security clearances for commercial space companies to integrate commercial technology into classified defense missions. The United States Space Force also awarded BAE Systems a contract on October 15, 2026, to supply software-defined radio terminals for a military satellite data layer. [6][7]