Robi Maddison Science 04.21.2022 06:Apr AM EDT

NASA, American Satellite Communication Providers Plan to Develop Near-Earth Space Communication Services — How Many Companies Are Involved?

GPS Trackers and the Future of GPS Technology

(Photo : NASA via Unsplash)

On Thursday, April 21, NASA said that it has been investigating the viability of using commercial satellite communications (SATCOM) networks for near-Earth operations. By doing this, the agency will be able to devote more time and money to deep space exploration and science missions.

Eli Naffah, Communications Services Project (CSP) project manager at NASA's Glenn Research Center said: "We are following the agency's proven approach developed through commercial cargo and commercial crew services. By using funded Space Act Agreements, we're able to stimulate industry to demonstrate end-to-end capability leading to operational service."

For this collaboration, NASA has chosen six American SATCOM providers.

"The agreements create opportunities to develop innovative solutions that could potentially meet NASA's future mission requirements while supporting each company's business model, future customers, and a growing domestic commercial SATCOM market," the NASA statement read.

When Will the 'Development and Demonstration' Period Be Completed?

NASA said that during the five-year "development and demonstration" period, it expects each SATCOM provider to match or exceed agency contributions.

By 2025, each company will have completed technology development and in-space demonstrations to show that their proposed solution will provide mission-oriented operations that are "robust, reliable, and cost-effective."

It was noted that the agency's CSP-funded agreements are worth a total of $278.5 million.

What Are the Six Funded Companies and How Much Funds Do They Receive?

Space Exploration Technologies (SpaceX) has been awarded $69.95 million.

Kuiper Government Solutions (KGS) LLC has been awarded $67 million.
Viasat Incorporated has been awarded $53.3 million.
Telesat U.S. Services LLC has been awarded $30.65 million.

SES Government Solutions has been awarded $28.96 million.

Inmarsat Government Inc. has been awarded $28.6 million.

Other NASA-Related News

As previously reported, as part of its ongoing journey on Mars, NASA's Perseverance rover has reached an ancient river delta. The arrival of the Perseverance Rover at the river delta is part of its second science expedition, the Delta Front Campaign.

While in the area, the Mars rover is expected to search for evidence of past microscopic life. The samples gathered by the Perseverance will be returned to Earth.

The Mars rover will spend the following week exploring the river delta. It was reported that the deposits that the Perseverance is intended to focus on are located roughly 130 feet above the crater floor.

"Two route options are being considered for the Perseverance to take. The first of which is a region known as 'Hawksbill Gap,' which the report says can be reached within a shorter amount of time. Should that route not be as safe for the Mars rover to take, it may opt to take the second route option known as 'Cape Nukshak.'"

Separately, the launch date for SpaceX's Crew-4 astronaut mission to the International Space Station has been set on April 23.

Last week's report said that the Crew-4 is still on track to launch atop a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket from KSC's Pad 39A at 5:26 a.m EDT (0926 GTM) on April 23 after NASA and SpaceX teams discovered no major or concerning issues during a seven-hour flight readiness assessment on April 15 at NASA's Kennedy Space Center (KSC) in Florida.