NASA Signs Agreements With 6 Satcom Operators for Near Earth Service Demos

NASA hired six commercial satellite communications companies to develop and demonstrate near earth space communication services that could be used to support future agency missions. It said Wednesday it has been looking at the feasibility of using commercial satcom as it works to decommission its near-earth satellites. Five-year Communications Services Project agreements totaling $278.5 million were signed with Inmarsat, Kuiper, SES, SpaceX, Telesat and Viasat. NASA said it anticipates seeking multiple long-term contracts for near earth services by 2030.