Lockheed Martin Selects Tesat Optical Terminals for SDA Tranche 1 Transport Satellites

Tesat’s headquarters in Germany. Photo: Tesat

Lockheed Martin selected Tesat’s optical communications terminals for its Space Development Agency (SDA) Tranche 1 Transport Layer satellites, Tesat announced Oct. 26. 

Tesat also announced it completed ground interoperability tests for the SDA program. As part of the test, Tesat optical communications terminals demonstrated consistent data communication links with a reference modem and an optical terminal made by another supplier. Tesat said this demonstrates that its terminals comply with the technical specifications and standards issued by SDA for interoperability with third-party products.

“The successful completion of this important test showcases that our OCTs meet the SDA standards and marks a big step for laser communication technology as interoperability is key,” Tesat CEO Thomas Reinartz commented. 

Lockheed Martin is the prime contractor to build 42 Tranche 1 Transport Layer satellites, which will provide global communications regional encrypted connectivity. Each space vehicle must be equipped with: an optical communications terminals enabling a minimum of four simultaneous optical communications links. 

Terran Orbital is building the satellite buses for Lockheed Martin, and MDA is building the antennas and antenna control electronics. 

Tesat is also offering its optical terminals for commercial constellations and has a deal with Kepler Communications for its Aether constellation.