On Wednesday, August 26, 2026, commercial radar analytics operator LeoLabs announced it secured a $20.7 million contract from the U.S. Space Force to supply mobile radar hardware for Space Domain Awareness (SDA).
Under the agreement, LeoLabs will deliver a modified variant of its modular Scout-S radar system to track space objects, satellites, and debris across Low Earth Orbit (LEO) and Very Low Earth Orbit (VLEO).
Radar Technical Specifications and SWaP-C Parameters
The Scout-S radar platform represents a compact, transportable variant of LeoLabs’ fixed global radar stations. Optimized for rapid field deployment and persistent target tracking, the modified Scout-S variant integrates S-band phase-array sensor technology engineered to detect small orbital assets and uncooperative objects down to centimeters in size.
Key operational parameters of the technology deployment include:
- Target Regimes: Dedicated coverage for LEO and high-drag VLEO orbital altitudes below 300 kilometers.
- Mobility and Setup: Modular form factor designed for transport and rapid deployment to support tactical military operations.
- Tracking Capabilities: Automated multi-object tracking, high-cadence orbit determination, and real-time detection of unannounced orbital maneuvers or deployments.
Defense SDA Context and Strategic Alignment
The contract builds on LeoLabs’ expanding relationship with national security agencies. The award follows LeoLabs’ interagency data-licensing agreement with the U.S. Space Force and Department of Commerce to feed high-fidelity radar tracking data into the Unified Data Library (UDL) and civil traffic networks.
The procurement reflects a shift within Space Systems Command toward procuring proliferated, commercial sensor networks. By deploying mobile Scout-S radars to tactical locations, the Space Force gains resilient SDA capabilities that supplement fixed military radars and protect against ground-based anti-satellite threats or localized sensor outages.
Deployment Schedule and Operational Roadmap
Under the $20.7 million contract structure, LeoLabs will complete final hardware integration and environmental qualification testing for the modified Scout-S units. Initial site deliveries and operational calibration for the Space Force are scheduled to commence in early 2027.
