Satellite Communications

York Space Systems agreed to acquire Australian UGV developer Outlook Industries and plans to build a new York Terrestrial Systems unit around its Shadow vehicle. The deal could create future U.S. production and integration opportunities, but remains subject to approvals and is not a government award or solicitation.

Canada awarded Telesat a 15-year contract worth $2.3 billion to provide Arctic satellite communications for the Canadian Armed Forces and expand its constellation from 156 to 225 satellites. Prime Minister Mark Carney has asked the Conflict of Interest and Ethics Commissioner to formalize a screen covering Telesat and its CEO, adding governance oversight to the award’s implementation context.

At the Global MILSATCOM 2026 Conference in London, the commander of U.S. Space Forces Europe and Space Forces Africa highlighted coalition spectrum awareness, rapid information sharing, and resilient satellite communications as operational priorities. The remarks may inform contractor capability planning, but announced no solicitation, award, funding, or procurement timeline.

NASA selected Viasat, Astranis Space Technologies, and Global Enterprise Solutions for firm-fixed-price awards under its NextSTEP-3 Appendix E NEXUS initiative. The awards carry potential values of up to $460.9 million, $264.3 million, and $340.4 million, but ceilings are not guaranteed spending; initial work runs through May 3, 2027, with options and possible demonstrations extending through 2029.

U.S. lawmakers are reportedly developing a roughly $15 billion Ukraine aid package that could address air defense, intelligence, satellite communications, energy assistance, and sanctions policy. The proposal is not finalized or funded, so contractors should treat it as a pipeline signal rather than an active solicitation or award.

Ukraine says its U.S. government agreement for access to SpaceX’s Starshield satellite network expires around mid-2027 and wants extension negotiations to begin promptly. The timeline and reported service outages raise continuity concerns, but no solicitation, contract value, or procurement competition has been identified.

Space Systems Command awarded Viasat a competitive IDIQ contract with a $450 million ceiling and a $115 million initial task order to build and scale the Space Data Network Backbone Mission Operations Center. The multi-vendor integration hub supports Space-Based Sensing and Targeting and modernization priorities including Golden Dome, creating prospective opportunities in satellite communications, ground systems, network management, and integration.

The Department of Defense made four awards to SpaceX totaling nearly $1.2 million for Starlink installation and service supporting the White House Communications Agency between March 2025 and June 2026. The awards followed a reported donation of Starlink service to the White House, but available records do not establish that the donation caused the paid work; no open solicitation or future opportunity is identified.

Viasat and Rocket Lab are conducting an on-orbit demonstration for NASA’s Communications Services Project, testing L- and Ka-band relay and direct-to-ground communications for low Earth orbit missions. Results through March 2027 could inform NASA’s transition from its TDRS system to commercial networks, but no new award, solicitation, or contract value was reported.

SES says it plans to expand its medium Earth orbit constellation from roughly 26 to about 100 satellites over seven years, emphasizing integration across space, terrestrial, and digital networks as a national-security modernization challenge. The article points to potential demand for interoperable, resilient communications capabilities but announces no government solicitation or contract award.

Northwood Space raised $375 million in Series C financing at a reported $2 billion valuation to scale antenna production, expand its global ground network, and hire 400 employees over three years. The private financing is not a new government award or solicitation; it may increase the company’s capacity to perform its existing $49.8 million U.S. Space Force Satellite Control Network contract and support future supplier demand.

The U.S. Army is seeking a commercial, modular Digital Intermediate Frequency system to replace legacy analog SATCOM infrastructure under a Commercial Solution Opening for Product Manager Wideband Enterprise Satellite Systems. The selected vendor will deliver, integrate, install, and test the solution for deployment across as many as 20 worldwide teleport sites; responses are due December 10, 2026.

The U.S. Space Force plans a sole-source IDIQ contract with Boeing, valued at up to $945.9 million, to sustain its Wideband and Narrowband Global SATCOM systems. The proposed five-year base and 10-year option reflect the government’s stated reliance on Boeing proprietary data and insufficient license rights; the contract has not yet been awarded.

Rep. Steny Hoyer formally requested that the House and Senate Armed Services Committees investigate suspended Ukrainian access to SpaceX's Starlink and Starshield systems, seeking subpoenas for Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and SpaceX CEO Elon Musk. The oversight push spotlights DoD reliance on commercial satellite communications and could shape future procurement scrutiny.

Amazon Leo demonstrated its LEO satellite internet to the U.S. Army at Aberdeen Proving Ground, with the Leo Pro antenna exceeding 400 Mbps. No solicitation, award, or funding is attached, but planned mobile and tactical-network integration tests could shape future military communications procurements.

The U.S. Department of Defense awarded Kymeta a development contract to integrate compute, software-defined radio, and networking into the Osprey u8 satellite terminal’s modular cartridge. The upgrade is intended to support tactical-edge missions, including RF Space Domain Awareness, while maintaining multi-orbit communications; contract value, award date, and any follow-on procurement timeline were not disclosed.

Canada is committing roughly $5 billion to Telesat while expanding satellite partnerships with Europe, South Korea, and Norway, aiming to reduce reliance on a single provider. The move raises potential opportunities across satellite capacity and supporting services, but no funding mechanism, procurement requirements, award schedule, or open solicitation has been identified.

Eight bipartisan, bicameral lawmakers urged the Department of Defense to expand its Starshield contract and restore uninterrupted, unlimited-speed satellite communications for Ukraine, with adequate geographic coverage. They also asked DoD to assess Title I Defense Production Act authorities and ensure continuity during any transition from commercial Starlink; no award, solicitation, contract value, or procurement timeline was announced.

The U.S. Space Force exercised an option to continue Iridium Communications’ Enhanced Mobile Satellite Services at the existing rate through March 2027. A 2027 renewal is anticipated but unconfirmed, leaving follow-on timing and acquisition strategy unspecified as Iridium’s proposed acquisition by Rocket Lab remains subject to approvals and closing conditions.

Ukraine’s Starlink communications rely on government-supported service and equipment, private subscriptions, and volunteer repair networks. The reported arrangements highlight continuity and accountability considerations for buyers, but the article identifies no new solicitation or award.

Eutelsat Network Solutions announced CMMC Level 2 certification after an independent assessment of its internal and external enclaves, validating its ability to handle Controlled Unclassified Information and Federal Contract Information. The milestone strengthens its readiness to compete for U.S. government satellite connectivity requirements that call for the certification, but is not a contract award or guarantee of eligibility for a specific procurement.

The U.S. Navy remotely controlled an MQ-25A Stingray from USS Ronald Reagan using the MD-5C Ground Control Station and a proliferated low Earth orbit satellite network. The test advances integration across unmanned aircraft, carrier systems, and satellite communications, but no new solicitation, contract value, or award timeline was announced.

The U.S. Space Force has awarded Viasat a seven-year, $307 million contract for satellite communication services to support the Marine Corps. This IDIQ contract signals continued investment in multi-orbit connectivity, emphasizing the need for resilient communication capabilities in modern military operations.

The U.S. Army seeks industry input for the Distributed Aperture Resilient Terminal System (DARTS) with an RFI aimed at developing a Technology Readiness Level 7 prototype. This move presents significant procurement opportunities for contractors specializing in satellite communications technologies, with responses due by September 30, 2026.

Fractal Antenna Systems has unveiled its Mesh-to-Gateway (M2G) technology, which facilitates connectivity between unlicensed wireless networks and low Earth orbit (LEO) satellites. This innovation presents potential procurement opportunities for agencies and vendors focused on IoT and satellite communication technologies, particularly as the FCC considers regulatory changes.

In August 2026, the US Space Force awarded Voyager Technologies a vital contract for developing satellite data link technologies. This initiative reflects a significant investment in improving secure satellite communications, representing new opportunities for contractors within the space technology sector.

Tesla has launched its Cybercab, an autonomous vehicle combined with Starlink V5 satellite broadband, aimed at transforming urban transportation. This innovative service, initially focused on Texas, presents substantial procurement opportunities for contractors in connected vehicle and smart city infrastructure while complying with NHTSA regulations.

The Japanese government allocates $926 million to support a domestic low-Earth orbit satellite communications network led by Rakuten Group. This investment presents significant contracting opportunities for companies in satellite manufacturing and infrastructure development, focusing on enhancing Japan's sovereign capabilities in space communication.

The U.S. Space Force has awarded SpaceX a substantial $4.16 billion contract to develop the Space-Based Advanced Moving Target Indicator (SB-AMTI) satellite system, part of the broader Golden Dome missile defense initiative. This investment underscores a strategic push towards enhancing missile defense capabilities through cutting-edge satellite technologies.

NASA's Polylingual Experimental Terminal (PExT) successfully demonstrated switching between satellite networks, emphasizing the importance of interoperability in future missions. This development opens procurement opportunities for contractors involved in satellite communications and ground station integration as agencies focus on versatile solutions.

Kratos Defense & Security Solutions has secured a significant contract for developing advanced space surveillance capabilities. This award signifies increased federal focus on space domain awareness, reflecting a shift in defense priorities and potential opportunities for subcontractors in the sector.

The U.S. Space Force has allocated $437.7 million to Viasat and Intelsat for the PTS-G satellite program aimed at enhancing jam-resistant military communications. Scheduled for launch by 2028, this initiative emphasizes the modernization of satellite systems and provides expansive opportunities for contractors in the defense sector.

In May 2026, the U.S. Space Force awarded SpaceX a substantial $2.29 billion contract to develop a cutting-edge low Earth orbit communication network. This initiative underscores a significant pivot towards enhancing military satellite communications and missile defense integration, expected to achieve operational capability by the end of 2027.

The U.S. Space Force has awarded a **$438 million** contract to Viasat and Intelsat General for the Protected Tactical Satellite-Global (PTS-G) program. This initiative focuses on enhancing secure military communications through advanced satellite technology, with implications for future procurement strategies and collaborations in defense.

The GSA has documented 275 satellite-to-cellphone partnerships across 101 countries, indicating robust growth in non-terrestrial 5G networks. This trend presents significant procurement opportunities for government contractors aiming to enhance connectivity in underserved areas.

SpaceX has secured nearly all of the **$12.8 billion** in federal revenues since fiscal 2023, driven by substantial contracts from **NASA** and the **Department of Defense**. The growth of Starlink and Starshield services indicates a rising demand for satellite capabilities across federal agencies, presenting opportunities for contractors in this expanding market.

The U.S. Space Force has awarded Northrop Grumman a **$398 million** contract to develop the Enhanced Protected Tactical Satellite Communications-Prototype (Enhanced PTS-P), aimed at bolstering tactical communications capabilities. This initiative emphasizes new acquisition strategies to accelerate deployment, with full rollout expected by **FY2030**.

The U.S. Marine Corps has awarded a **$307.1 million** contract to Viasat to enhance global satellite communications under the MECS2 program. This contract signifies a strategic move towards modernizing communication capabilities, presenting subcontracting opportunities for related vendors.