Large-scale Space Force funding raises questions before laser communication proof of efficiency: Oversight body expresses concerns
The Space Development Agency (SDA) is pressing ahead with the deployment of satellite laser communications, a technology yet to be fully proven, according to a report published by the Government Accountability Office (GAO) on February 26.
The SDA is developing a constellation of low-Earth orbit satellites that will transmit data via laser, a method believed to be faster and more secure than traditional radio frequency systems. However, the GAO notes that the SDA has only conducted a few trials and not met its originally planned demonstration goals, while already awarding contracts for hundreds of new satellites.
This rapid investment could lead to unnecessary delays and costs if adjustments to equipment requirements are required as the technology evolves, the government watchdog warned. "Without demonstrating key laser communications technology capabilities, SDA is risking not being able to leverage past experiences into the investments either under contract or planned for in the future," GAO wrote. These investments amount to nearly $35 billion.
The project, dubbed the Proliferated Warfighter Space Architecture (PWSA), aims to provide military forces with resilient communication, missile warning, and navigation services. Crucially, the PWSA relies on laser communications for its high-speed data transmission capabilities, which can transmit data 10 to 40 times faster than radio frequencies using a much narrower beam.
Laser communications, however, present several challenges. Satellites in low-Earth orbit travel at 17,000 miles per hour, making it difficult for them to find and maintain a connection with each other. Mechanical vibrations and atmospheric conditions can also interrupt the laser link.
The GAO identified eight capabilities that SDA wants from the optical communication terminals that went on Tranche 0 satellites, which form part of the PWSA. These include establishing links between terminals built by the same vendor in the same orbital plane, links between terminals built by different vendors in different orbital planes, and linking with ground stations.
As of December, only two of the four Tranche 0 contractors had demonstrated three of the eight capabilities. However, in January, York Space Systems announced one of its data transport satellites had established a laser communication link with a missile warning/tracking satellite built by another vendor, SpaceX.
Despite these stymied advancements, the SDA has already awarded contracts for two subsequent tranches worth about $9.5 billion. The GAO expressed concern that this investment could be jeopardized if the SDA does not demonstrate the minimum viable product for laser communications in space in Tranche 0.
The Defense Department agreed with the GAO's recommendations but insisted that the SDA had met its revised minimum viable product for Tranche 0. The SDA is, however, off track to demonstrate the minimum capability of a laser-based mesh network planned for Tranche 0, the GAO noted.
Industry and standardization efforts are underway to foster the adoption of laser communications among commercial and defense partners. Notable constellations, such as Starlink, Amazon's Kuiper, and Telesat LightSpeed, are also incorporating laser terminals, validating the technology's maturity and utility.
The SDA's laser communication technology is rapidly maturing and being actively integrated into the PWSA. Challenges facing the technology include ensuring interoperability among diverse systems, maintaining reliability in harsh operational environments, scaling deployment to large constellations, and advancing security measures such as quantum-resistant protocols.
- The Space Development Agency (SDA) is investing heavily in the Proliferated Warfighter Space Architecture (PWSA), a project that aims to provide military forces with resilient communication, missile warning, and navigation services, relying on laser communications for its high-speed data transmission capabilities.
- Despite some advancements, the SDA has only demonstrated a few trials and not met its originally planned demonstration goals for its laser communication technology, as pointed out by the Government Accountability Office (GAO).
- The Defense Department has agreed with the GAO's concerns and insisted that the SDA had met its revised minimum viable product for the first Tranche, but the SDA is off track to demonstrate the minimum capability of a laser-based mesh network planned for Tranche 0, as the GAO noted.
- Industry and standardization efforts are being made to promote the adoption of laser communications among commercial and defense partners, and notable constellations such as Starlink, Amazon's Kuiper, and Telesat LightSpeed are incorporating laser terminals, validating the technology's maturity and utility.
