Satellite Communication Systems
Discover cutting-edge solutions from leading global suppliersYork Space Systems (York) successfully demonstrated a space-to-ground optical laser communications link with a Space Development Agency (SDA) ground terminal.
In this demonstration, a York-built Tranche 0 satellite successfully connected with one of the agency’s optical ground terminals, marking another step toward building the SDA’s Transport Layer, a system developed to provide resilient, low-latency, high-volume data connectivity to U.S. and allied warfighters worldwide.
The test successfully received more than 1.5 million frames, validating the performance of York’s optical communications integration within the SDA’s Proliferated Warfighter Space Architecture (PWSA).
Mike Lajczok, CTO of York, stated, “York’s ability to rapidly integrate and demonstrate these capabilities is what sets us apart. By consistently delivering proven technologies on accelerated timelines, York is helping set the standard for how the United States fields advanced capabilities at scale.”
Melanie Preisser, VP and GM of York, added, “This achievement proves that optical communications are not only viable in real-world operations but also ready to strengthen the resilience and speed of the national defense space architecture. By demonstrating secure, high-capacity links for missile warning, tracking, and tactical transport, York is demonstrating that these technologies can be fielded rapidly to meet the nation’s evolving mission demands.”
York aims to transform how the U.S. builds and operates proliferated space-based capabilities. This successful demonstration reinforces the company’s role as a key partner in advancing the SDA’s vision for the PWSA and highlights its leadership in proliferated low Earth orbit systems.
SDA and York are working to advance a more secure and robust space-based communications network capable of supporting the next generation of missile warning, missile tracking, and tactical data transport missions. This also lays the groundwork for future architectures.
