COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. – The Space Development Agency (SDA) plans to award contracts for a mesh network in space this August, with the expectation that an initial batch of 20 satellites will be placed on orbit during summer 2022. The agency expects to release a request for proposals for the contracts May 1. C4ISRnet reports. Continue reading original article
The Military & Aerospace Electronics take:
16 April 2020 -- The announcement came during an industry day the agency hosted over the phone April 2. The industry day originally was to be during the 36th Space Symposium in Colorado Springs April 2.
After that event was cancelled due to the circumstances with COVID-19 the agency opted to hold a virtual industry day instead. According to SDA Director Derek Tournear, 580 people called in for the event.
That first batch will include 20 satellites and will comprise what Pentagon leaders are calling Tranche 0 of the SDA’s Transport Layer, a mesh network of satellites operating primarily in low earth orbit and will be able to connect space-based sensors to the war fighter.
Related: DARPA Blackjack to develop small, secure military satellites for low-Earth orbit
John Keller, chief editor
Military & Aerospace Electronics
