BAE Systems will develop and demonstrate compact radio-frequency (RF) terminals for a U.S. Space Force initiative aimed at improving communications across space-based networks. The work will support a space-based data layer designed to move information between military assets operating in orbit.
The Space Systems Command (SSC) awarded the contract as the military pursues resilient communications capabilities for increasingly demanding space operations. BAE Systems plans to adapt its existing space-qualified software-defined radio technology for the project.
The terminals must operate across multiple orbital environments, from low Earth orbit (LEO) to geosynchronous Earth orbit (GEO). Their compact design could also help accommodate communications hardware on spacecraft with limited room for additional equipment.
Software-defined radios use programmable processing to handle radio communications, offering flexibility beyond traditional fixed-function hardware. BAE Systems plans to draw on its established radio technology to develop terminals that maintain reliable links under challenging conditions.
Military spacecraft can encounter deliberate jamming and electromagnetic interference that disrupt communications. Space radiation also threatens electronic components, making radiation tolerance essential for long-duration missions. The new terminals must withstand these conditions while meeting military security requirements.
BAE Systems will also conduct space-characterization testing to assess the hardware’s suitability for orbital operations. Its engineers will work with government partners to demonstrate the technology and prepare it for deployment.
An application programming interface (API) will help coordinate precise pointing between payloads. That capability will support alignment between communications systems as spacecraft establish links with other network elements.
BAE Systems brings an extensive portfolio of radiation-hardened electronics to the program.
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