NASA awards three contracts for satellite relay services

NASA has awarded three companies contracts to develop Ka-band satellite relay services, a step in its plan to move some space communications from its ageing Tracking and Data Relay Satellite fleet to commercial providers.

The agency selected Astranis Space Technologies, Global Enterprise Solutions and Viasat. The contracts have maximum potential values of $264.3 million, $340.4 million and $460.9 million respectively, including future options. NASA can choose whether to fund those options; the initial work runs from 4 November to 3 May 2027, with further options extending through 2029.

The companies are to develop concepts compatible with existing spacecraft, so those missions could continue using relay services without changes to their onboard systems. NASA says it wants end-to-end proposals covering satellites, ground systems, launches, operations and integration.

The awards are part of NASA’s Communications Services Project, run through its Space Communications and Navigation programme. The agency says Ka-band services are needed for some spacecraft that cannot feasibly be modified or switched to other commercial services. The contracts could progress from concept development and risk reduction to an in-orbit demonstration, but NASA has not announced that any of the three systems will fly.