U.S. Space Force’s (USSF) Space Systems Command (SSC) and U.S. Space Command (USSPACECOM) awarded Astranis a $13.2M contract, with $3.3M of SSC funding, to add Military Ka frequency compatibility to their next-generation Omega satellites. This jointly-funded Strategic Funding Increase (STRATFI) will have support from Space Systems Command, SpaceWERX, and other venture capital sources.
“The targeted mission impact for the Astranis project is to significantly enhance the resiliency of tactical satellite communications for the U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) and USSF for assuring beyond-line-of-site connectivity across warfighters, sensors and weapons systems in contested space, and radio frequency scenarios,” said Ms. Charlotte Gerhart, Director of the Tactical SATCOM Acquisition Delta.
This effort will evolve the Astranis next generation communications satellites, Omega, to Military Ka-band to ensure compatibility with existing military user equipment and frequency plans. In satellite communications, the Military Ka-band supports high-capacity communications and ensures compatibility with existing military user equipment and frequency plans. Use of the Military Ka-band also allows higher bandwidth than lower frequencies and more assured access to portions of the spectrum reserved for military use.
Through the agreement, Astranis will also deliver a hardware design that is capable of supporting Protected Tactical Waveform (PTW) operating over their Omega satellites. PTW provides anti-jam communications to warfighters in a contested battlespace.
These modifications will be tested through ground demonstration activities to provide proof of concept performance measurements. Additionally, performance of the system while operating the Government PTW on the transponded signals will be characterized.