BAE Systems awarded U.S. Space Force contract for space resilient satellite communications terminals

FALLS CHURCH, Va. — October 15, 2026 — BAE Systems has been awarded a contract from the U.S. Space Force Space Systems Command (SSC) to design and demonstrate ultra-compact radio-frequency (RF) terminals for a space-based data layer.  

“This contract leverages decades of experience delivering mission-critical, radiation-hardened hardware and communications systems – from Apollo-era programs to today’s deep-space and airborne missions,” said Joe Dziezynski, BAE Systems Space Systems product line director. “Our resilient design and established manufacturing capacity will enable rapid deployment and scalable production, supporting the Space Force’s vital mission to enhance global security.”  

BAE Systems will provide a solution based on its proven, space-hardened family of software-defined radios.   

These radios ensure reliable performance in contested or degraded environments such as jamming electromagnetic interference and space radiation from deployment into various orbits. The system will feature robust, military-grade security, pass space‑characterization tests and support operations from low Earth orbit (LEO) to geosynchronous Earth orbit (GEO).  

BAE Systems will work with its government partners to rapidly field and demonstrate this critical technology using an Application Programming Interface (API) to enable precise pointing between payloads. The company is also positioning the system for scalable production to meet future Department of War needs.   

photo courtesy BAE Systems