WASHINGTON – The U.S. Space Force’s Commercial Satellite Communications Office (CSCO) has announced contracting opportunities worth approximately $2.3 billion for commercial satellite services over the coming year.
The procurement forecast, released in December, outlines major initiatives for fiscal years 2025 and 2026, with the centerpiece being a nearly $900 million program focused on maneuverable satellites in geostationary orbit (GEO).
Clare Hopper, CSCO’s director, said the forecast is intended to help prepare industry participants for upcoming Requests for Proposals (RFPs) and is subject to revision.
The largest opportunity, valued between $895 million and $905 million, is the so-called maneuverable geostationary Earth orbit (GEO) program. This initiative seeks to procure both satellite services and custom-built small GEO satellites designed for operations in geostationary orbit, approximately 36,000 kilometers above Earth.
Hopper emphasized the Space Force’s intention to capture innovations from the burgeoning small GEO satellite sector. Weighing only a few hundred kilograms — compared to conventional GEO satellites that can weigh several tons — these satellites promise greater agility and lower cost.
The program represents a pivot toward agility in traditionally static GEO operations, Hopper noted. By utilizing maneuverable satellites, the Space Force can deploy a mix of communication services and potentially lease constellations.
In October, the CSCO issued a request for information to assess the small GEO sector’s capabilities. Based on industry feedback, a draft solicitation for bids is anticipated in February, with contracts to be awarded later this year. It is expected to be a Indefinite Delivery/Indefinite Quantity (IDIQ) contract, allowing the Space Force to issue task orders for services and hardware on demand.
Another notable opportunity is the Army’s Satcom as a Managed Service program, valued at $195 million to $205 million. This contract builds on a pilot program where commercial providers Intelsat and SES demonstrated the feasibility of outsourcing satellite communications.
Under this model, private companies manage all aspects of satellite communication services, from hardware installation to network support, under subscription-based contracts.
The pilot informed the Army’s procurement strategy, with a contract award expected this summer.
Speaking at a recent Via Satellite webinar, Hopper highlighted CSCO’s growing role in integrating commercial satcom technologies into military operations. The office, she said, has received substantial investment to enhance its capabilities, including automation to improve collaboration with industry and government stakeholders.
“This Space Force is making significant investments in our office,” Hopper said. The maneuverable GEO program, she added, exemplifies how “we’re connecting the joint force to the commercial marketplace.”
