Space Laser Communication Terminal Prototypes Enter Phase 2 for Advanced On-Orbit Crosslink Compatibility
by Clarence Oxford
Los Angeles CA (SPX) May 12, 2025
The United States Space Force’s (USSF) Space Systems Command (SSC) has awarded contracts to CACI, General Atomics, and Viasat as part of Phase 2 of the $100 million Enterprise Space Terminal (EST) program. This phase aims to advance the development of space laser communication terminal prototypes, promoting long-range, resilient space communications. The contracts were issued through the Space Enterprise Consortium (SpEC) Other Transaction Authority (OTA), supporting the SSC’s objective to enhance the industrial base for advanced space technologies.
The selected companies were chosen from four initial competitors that completed Phase 1 of the program, which included successful Preliminary Design Reviews (PDRs) from each. This progression to Phase 2 supports SSC’s goal of fostering innovation while controlling costs by maintaining competitive pressure. The selection criteria included factors such as cost, schedule, and performance, ensuring the best value for the government.
The EST program focuses on establishing crosslink compatibility among future space systems through standardized enterprise waveforms. These terminals are designed to be low in size, weight, power, and cost (SWaP-C) while supporting the broader MILNET space data network, which aims to create a resilient space mesh network capable of providing diverse communication paths. The program also leverages prior Department of Defense (DoD) and commercial investments to develop enterprise waveforms optimized for Beyond Low Earth Orbit (bLEO) communications.
“I’m pleased with the progress on the EST program so far. The EST prototypes are foundational elements to the future space data transport network that we are building,” said USSF Lt. Col. Jeffrey Fry, MILNET Program Manager for SSC’s Space Domain Awareness and Combat Power Program Executive Office. “The ESTs will implement a common waveform so all satellites carrying these terminals can talk to each other. This is important as the network of satellites carrying EST-compatible terminals will provide diverse communication paths for data that is critical to our national security and our way of life.”
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