FALLS CHURCH, Va. - BAE Systems will design and demonstrate ultra-compact radio-frequency (RF) communications terminals for a space-based data layer under a contract from the U.S. Space Force Space Systems Command (SSC).
The terminals will be based on BAE Systems' family of space-hardened software-defined radios (SDRs), which use programmable processing hardware to implement communications functions. The company says the system is intended to maintain reliable communications in contested or degraded environments affected by jamming, electromagnetic interference, and space radiation.
BAE Systems' existing space-radio technology includes the SpaceVPX SDR, a modular platform built around a radiation-hardened RAD5545 quad-core processor and field-programmable gate arrays (FPGAs) for high-speed parallel processing. The platform supports reconfigurable computing modules and standardized interfaces, allowing processing capabilities to be adapted to different mission requirements.
The company has not confirmed whether the new terminals will use the SpaceVPX architecture or the RAD5545 processor.
SDR communications
Software-defined radios can implement communications and signal-processing functions through programmable hardware and software, potentially allowing capabilities to be modified without replacing the entire radio. BAE Systems has not disclosed the new terminals' operating frequencies, data rates, waveforms, or specific interference-mitigation techniques.
The system is designed to support operations across orbital regimes ranging from low Earth orbit (LEO) to geosynchronous Earth orbit (GEO). BAE Systems says the terminals will incorporate military-grade security and undergo space-characterization testing.
The company will work with government partners to demonstrate the technology using an application programming interface (API) intended to enable precise pointing between payloads. The announcement does not detail the pointing mechanism or explain how the interface will coordinate communications between spacecraft.
BAE Systems is positioning the design for scalable production to meet potential future U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) requirements. The company has not disclosed the contract value, terminal quantity, or demonstration schedule.
