York Space Systems will support a multi-vendor interoperability demonstration as part of a recent U.S. Space Force award for the Space Data Network (SDN).
York Space was one of five companies selected in August for demonstrations for the SDN. York has received two task orders. As part of the first task order Delivery Order 2 (DO2), York will support a multi-vendor interoperability demonstration with the SDN-Backbone (SDN-B) constellation, which will look at approaches connecting spacecraft and ground elements through multiple data-exchange paths.
The second task order, Delivery Order 3 (DO3), York will support part of an in-orbit demonstration. The first phase of which will define the bus-to-payload interfaces and payload-integration planning associated with the Space Exchange Point (SEP demonstration. This will also include planning toward a later on-orbit prototype.
York shared more information on the two task orders in a Monday release.
“These efforts are intended to help inform approaches for integrating payload capabilities through common interfaces,” said Melanie Preisser, executive vice president and general manager of York. “Common interfaces and adaptable spacecraft platforms can help facilitate integration of payload capabilities from across industry. York has experience integrating payload capabilities onto its spacecraft platforms.”
The Space Force has described the overall Space Data Network as a network that integrates Department of Defense and commercial networks across various orbits to deliver private transport, tactical data links, and public internet services to users.
In May of this year, SpaceX won a $2.29 billion contract to deliver the SDN Backbone, a proliferated Low-Earth Orbit (LEO) constellation, to function as an integrated network, providing and provide resilient, high-capacity, and low-latency data transport for the Joint Force.
