The U.S. Space Force is exploring the use of small geosynchronous satellites to enhance military communications networks — either through purchased commercial services or government-owned constellations. “We’re trying to leverage new capabilities from the commercial industry,” Clare Hopper, chief of the Space Force’s Commercial Satellite Communications Office, said Oct. 19 at the annual MilSat Symposium in Mountain View, California. Hopper said the Space Force is interested in procuring maneuverable small satellites that can deliver connectivity from geosynchronous Earth orbit. Her office on Oct. 18 issued a request for information on the capabilities of the microGEO satellite sector, which uses smaller, cheaper satellites that are being marketed as nimbler options than large geosynchronous spacecraft. The Space Force is “seeking sources capable of supporting a Department of Defense effort launching and maintaining communications satellites that allow for greater maneuverability and smaller size than traditional geostationary satellites,” said the request. Through this market research, the Space Force wants to assess the advantages and potential risks of using smaller geosynchronous platforms. Companies entering the microGEO sector of the satellite industry include large satcom operators like Intelsat and Inmarsat, and satellite internet startups like Astranis. Hopper said the plan is to use IDIQ (Indefinite Delivery/Indefinite Quantity) contracts that provide a framework for the Space Force to place task orders for satcom hardware or services on an as-needed basis. The IDIQ contract, Hopper said, would allow for the procurement of communications services or could give the government the ability to “effectively acquire our own constellation through a unique leasing arrangement.”
Full story : Space Force sets sights on small geostationary communications satellites.
