NASA selects three companies for commercial Ka-band satellite relay development

NASA selected three commercial companies on Wednesday to develop Ka-band space relay capability concepts. NASA News and Satellite Today reported that the contracts aim to provide relay options compatible with current missions in space, ensuring service continuity for existing spacecraft without requiring modifications to onboard systems. [1][2][8]

According to Satellite Today, Viasat received the largest contract award at $460.9 million. Global Enterprise Solutions Inc., operating as SES Space and Defense, was contracted for $340.4 million, while Astranis was contracted for $264.3 million. shattered.io reported that the combined total value of the awards across the three firms reaches $1.07 billion. [2][9][10]

The awards were issued as firm-fixed-price contracts under the Communications Services Project managed by the Space Communications and Navigation program, Satellite Today reported. NASA News added that the agency aims to acquire complete end-to-end solutions that encompass space, ground, launch, operations, and integration elements. [1][2][8]

Tracking and data relay satellites form communication networks used by NASA to transmit data to and from low-Earth orbit user platforms, including uncrewed satellites and the International Space Station. Through these commercial capability concepts, NASA intends to participate as one of many customers in the commercial marketplace. [1][11]