This milestone delivery keeps the program on track for full assembly of the payload, known as Flight Unit 1, expected to launch in 2028.

“We met multiple challenges across a multiyear timeframe to successfully deliver our components for the next stage of full payload assembly,” said Thai Sheridan, vice president and general manager of military space for BAE Systems Space & Mission Systems. “This program will provide essential next-generation defense and intelligence capabilities for the Space Force.”

The sensor subassembly built by BAE Systems is a significant component of the mission payload and provides the optics, pointing mechanism, controlling electronics and electrical bus interface to the spacecraft.

The sensor system controller interfaces directly to the space vehicle to receive commands and provide telemetry data for the mission. It provides power control and conversion for sensor assembly components as well as high-accuracy mirror direction.

The BAE Systems hardware originally was designed for use with the geosynchronous Earth orbit (GEO) element of the program. Featuring a highly adaptable design, the components were able to be repurposed for the NGP mission, allowing the program to meet challenging schedule needs.

Source: BAE Systems

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Enhanced PTS-P is part of the Space Force’s Force Design and is intended to expand protected satellite communications to support warfighters operating in highly contested environments. The program is under the purview of the Acting PAE and is managed by Space Systems Command’s System Delta 88, led by U.S. Space Force Col. A.J. Ashby.

The prototype is designed to improve satellite communications performance in the presence of jamming through advanced antennas and space-based processing of the Protected Tactical Waveform, or PTW.

“Enhanced PTS-P represents another important step in delivering more resilient, protected communications capabilities to the joint force,” said Erin Carper, acting Space Force portfolio acquisition executive for Satellite Communications and Positioning, Navigation and Timing. “This capability will help ensure tactical users can operate with greater confidence in contested environments.”

As part of the Enhanced PTS-P acquisition strategy, this contract exemplifies multiple Department of War Acquisition Transformation principles by emphasizing contractor accountability and affordability.

The strategy also improves contracting processes by leveraging follow-on Other Transaction authorities, which is a flexible pathway for the government to develop and prototype new capabilities faster. Northrop Grumman was previously awarded prototype contracts and completed critical design reviews in 2021.

Most importantly, Enhanced PTS-P accelerates capability to the warfighter by utilizing an additional middle-tier acquisition period to iteratively deliver improved PTW satellite communications for earlier operational use on the path to full requirement satisfaction.

“Enhanced PTS-P pairs innovative technology with an acquisition approach designed to move faster and deliver protected SATCOM capabilities where they are needed most,” said Mozhdeh Najafabadi, PTS-P/R system program manager. “That combination is essential as we acquire and employ more resilient space capabilities.”

Enhanced PTS-P is expected to inform future Protected Tactical Satellite Communications capability development and demonstrate how the Space Force can deliver more responsive, resilient communications options to support the joint force.

Source: Space Systems Command

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Now in its fourth consecutive year, the “Fight Tonight” competition funds military and civilian projects that improve U.S. Space Force capabilities and address critical challenges in contested environments. In this year’s competition, SSC, the capability acquisition arm of USSF, teamed with the service’s innovation arm, SpaceWERX, to rapidly accelerate novel technology adoption by leveraging Tactical Funding Increase (TACFI), the pathway created to transition operational-level capabilities into U.S. Space Force or Department of the Air Force programs.

ThinKom was recognized for its innovative mobile ground stations that replaces vulnerable dish-based ground entry points (GEPs) with a compact, covert, ground node that enables decentralized communications for mission-critical operations. Powered by advanced VICTS technology and equipped with all of the advantages of ThinKom’s digital beamforming technology, the Containerized Digital Array features concealed, coherently combined phased-array antenna modules integrated within a rugged shipping container to take advantage of established logistics and minimal site preparation. The fully-customizable interior supports mission-specific equipment, including servers, networking, and power systems, with options for enhanced security and environmental controls.

The software-defined system features an adaptable, scalable architecture supporting multi-beam, multi-orbit, multi-band, and multi-network operations across LEO, MEO, GEO, and HEO satellite networks. Combined with high survivability and low visual/heat/wind signature, the Containerized Digital Array lays the groundwork for a proliferated ground segment.

Source: ThinKom

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This mission is the thirteenth overall launch of the NRO’s multi-phenomenology proliferated architecture and second proliferated launch of 2026. NROL-172 is also the second mission in partnership with SSC SYD 80 under the National Security Space Launch (NSSL) Phase 3 Lane 1 Launch Service NRO Task Order awarded in October 2024. NSSL, a government launch acquisition partnership program between SSC and the NRO aimed at ensuring continued assured access to space for national security missions, is overseen and operated by SSC headquartered at Los Angeles Air Force Base in California.

NRO’s ability to leverage multiple acquisition approaches demonstrates NRO’s commitment to delivering critical national systems on orbit faster than ever before. The NRO’s proliferated architecture, in addition to our other ISR systems, supports multiple missions across the intelligence and Department of War (DoW) communities, including the ground moving target indicator mission as part of the DoW’s space-based sensing and targeting architecture.

Through sustained launch activity and accelerated deployment of next-generation systems, NRO fields the most advanced and capable government constellation our nation has ever delivered with hundreds of satellites now on orbit. Building on this momentum, 2026 is poised to be another dynamic year with a robust launch schedule. Many of these missions will advance the NRO’s proliferated architecture, with additional proliferated launches planned through 2029 to ensure sustained growth and innovation.

Source: NRO

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The funding includes a new $300 million Series E round co-led by Snowpoint Ventures and Franklin Templeton, with participation from Andreessen Horowitz, funds and accounts managed by affiliates of BlackRock, Baillie Gifford, and Fidelity Management & Research Company, as well as BAM Elevate, Nimble Partners, and Friends & Family Capital, along with other existing and new investors.

A delayed-draw credit facility by Trinity Capital adds up to $155 million of additional capital to support the addition of new manufacturing capacity and support future growth.

Astranis will use the new funding to accelerate satellite production for its commercial customers and scale up to support major U.S. government programs of record, as the U.S. Space Force expects one of the largest budget increases ever seen by a service branch. The increase to $71.1 billion next year is in direct response to new space threats posed by adversaries China and Russia.

“The world is more contested and volatile than it once was. Sovereign, secure communications infrastructure is more critical than ever,” said John Gedmark, CEO and co-founder of Astranis. “We built Astranis to deliver satellites at speed and at scale. This capital accelerates our ability to meet demand from our commercial customer base around the world, and importantly we are now spooling up to support multiple US Government programs of record simultaneously.”

“GEO is the single most important orbit for national security, and that’s the orbit where we are seeing the largest need for new capability by Space Force. We’re excited to support Astranis as they scale and accelerate delivery for these important U.S. government missions,” said Alexander Creasey, general partner at Snowpoint Ventures.

“Astranis has an incredible track record of having actually flown full-capability satellites in higher orbits in a way that no other company has done. They are uniquely positioned to deliver sovereign, secure communications infrastructure that the world needs. This investment reflects our conviction in both the opportunity and the team,” said James Cross, managing director at Franklin Templeton.

Source: Astranis

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SSC System Delta 89 intends to award a modification on a sole source basis to the following contracts to increase the total shared ceiling by $4,400,000,000.00 from an original ceiling of 1,843,000,000.00 to a new shared ceiling of $6,243,000,000.00 for additional quantities within the scope of the Andromeda IDIQ. Andromeda is a contract vehicle that will be utilized for the procurement of space-based space domain awareness capabilities, including, but not limited to, the RG-XX and SG-XX programs.

The scope of work includes: assistance in specification (systems engineering), space system design (including prototypes), space system build, integration, demonstrations, and operations support that may include analysis or studies of specialized functions or capabilities in support of the Space Domain Awareness (SDA) mission area, specifically space-based surveillance and reconnaissance. The awarded contractors are as follows:

Andromeda IDIQ contracts:

1. FA881926DB001 / Northrop Grumman Systems
2. FA881926DB002 / Quantum Space LLC
3. FA881926DB003 / L3Harris Technologies Inc
4. FA881926DB004 / Lockheed Martin
5. FA881926DB005 / Millennium Space Systems
6. FA881926DB006 / BAE Systems
7. FA881926DB007 / Sierra Space Corporation
8. FA881926DB008 / General Atomics
9. FA881926DB009 / True Anomaly
10. FA881926DB0010 / Turion Space
11. FA881926DB0011 / Anduril
12. FA881926DB0012 / Redwire Space Missions
13. FA881926DB0013 / Astranis
14. FA881926DB0014 / Intuitive Machines

On 08 April 2026, 14 contractors were competitively awarded the Andromeda MAC IDIQ. Shortly before the award decision, the space reconnaissance and surveillance budget for Fiscal Year 2027 was significantly increased to address the escalating threat environment projected for CY 2030+. The revised budget results in increased demand for the same requirements already encompassed within the Andromeda MAC IDIQ.

The Andromeda MAC IDIQ intends for on-ramping provisions to add new, qualified contractors to the pool on an annual basis. The Government does not intend to award a contract based on this notice or to otherwise pay for information received in response to this notice.

Review the Andromeda IDIQ notice.

Source: SAM

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“Booz Allen is uniquely positioned to field emerging capabilities that drive the critical mission of Golden Dome for America,” said Angela Wallace, executive vice president. “Over the last decade, we have invested in space-based missile defense to deliver advanced technology to the mission at speed. We look forward to our continued partnership with the Department of War to advance the future of homeland defense.”

The global strategic landscape has changed, and a new generation of threats hold the homeland at risk. Golden Dome for America’s USSF SBI program aims to address this gap by developing and deploying a proliferated Low Earth Orbit constellation of interceptors capable of boost, midcourse, and glide phase engagements.

“Booz Allen’s decades of command and control and missile defense experience paired with our advanced software and AI solutions deliver a modern approach to the SBI mission with a performance-first mindset,” said Katie Carr, an engineering director in Booz Allen’s national security business.

Source: Booz Allen

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“Our role on the Space-Based Interceptor program is to deliver space-based systems capable of intercepting missiles under extreme engagement conditions while achieving a unit cost and level of reliability necessary for scale,” said Even Rogers, CEO and co-founder of True Anomaly. “As we have with all of our products to date, we are investing at scale and bringing together private capital, world-class talent, and industry-leading partners to harness American innovation and execute a program with enormous national security implications.”

True Anomaly was among twelve companies awarded OTA agreements by SSC, a select group spanning both traditional defense primes and leading commercial space companies. The awards represent a combined value of up to $3.2 billion across twenty agreements, designed to develop a proliferated Low Earth Orbit constellation of interceptors capable of boost, midcourse, and glide phase engagements, with an initial capability demonstration targeted for 2028.

The company’s expansion into space-based interceptors extends its portfolio into one of the most consequential national security challenges, enabled by a new level of partnership between the defense industrial base and the U.S. government.

Source: True Anomaly

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“Sierra Space is operating at the intersection of innovation and national security at a critical moment for the space domain,” said Dan Jablonsky, CEO of Sierra Space. “We are advancing our nation’s strategic priorities in space and supporting our customers’ most important missions. John’s deep understanding of the challenges facing those we serve—gained through decades of service—will ensure we remain adaptive and effective. I am pleased to welcome him as a board member of Sierra Space.”

With more than 35 years of experience in national security space and aerospace engineering, Shaw brings deep expertise in ​the ​national security arena and maintains extensive relationships across key government agencies and NASA.

“John’s leadership has been instrumental in advancing the field of space operations,” said Fatih Ozmen, chair of the board of Sierra Space. “His unique perspective and deep relationships across the defense and intelligence sectors will enhance the oversight and guidance our board provides. We look forward to his contributions as we position Sierra Space for long-term success in an increasingly dynamic domain.”

“Sierra Space has built a reputation in the defense and intelligence community for being a trusted partner and delivering on its commitments,” said Shaw. “Their team is mission-driven and focused on providing solutions that matter today while shaping civil and commercial missions of tomorrow. I am especially pleased to join the board during this dynamic time as Dan leads the company into its next phase.”

Shaw retired from the U.S. Space Force as a three-star general in November 2023.​​​​​ ​​

Source: Sierra Space

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“MOSSAIC underscores the confidence Space Force places in our ability to deliver advanced capabilities that strengthen space domain awareness,” said Jeff Hanke, president, space systems, space and mission systems, L3Harris. “We are leveraging decades of ground systems experience and rapid innovation to give warfighters earlier threat detection, faster response and the assurance needed to prevail in a contested domain.”

The MOSSAIC program is entering its seventh year of a decade-long effort to deliver reliable, high-availability surveillance data to military, civil and commercial stakeholders, ensuring commanders have timely, accurate insight to protect critical space assets and maintain freedom of action in space.

Source: L3Harris

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