SpaceX Wins SDA Study Contract for Optical Links to Tracking Satellites

The Space Development Agency awarded SpaceX a contract to study how the company’s Plug and Play optical communications terminals, also called Plasers, could connect with satellites in SDA’s Tracking Layer in low Earth orbit.

Key details

• The contract has a $9.9 million base value, with options that could bring the total to nearly $12.7 million.
• Work covers a risk-reduction study, representative hardware delivery, and support for missile-warning and tracking-system integration.
• The work is scheduled to run through October 7, 2027.

The contract carries a $9.9 million base value, with options that could raise it to nearly $12.7 million.

Why it matters

Optical communications use light to transmit data between terminals. The planned study covers hardware, software, and connectivity for links between the Tracking Layer and SpaceX’s terminals.