NASA Selects Four Companies for Space Communications Services

NASA has chosen four companies to provide crucial communications services for missions orbiting Earth and extending to the moon. The announcement, made on December 20, details task orders awarded to Intuitive Machines, Kongsberg Satellite Services (KSAT), SSC Space U.S., and Viasat. These services will bolster NASA’s Near Space Network (NSN), supporting missions up to two million kilometers from Earth.

Intuitive Machines secured two additional task orders for direct-to-Earth communications, complementing their existing contract. KSAT also received a task order supporting lunar exploration and another for direct-to-Earth communications from Earth orbit. SSC Space obtained two task orders for communications with spacecraft in low Earth orbit and highly elliptical orbits. Viasat’s task order focuses on communications with spacecraft in Earth orbit.

While NASA didn't reveal the contract values, the services are slated to run from February 2025 to September 2029, with a possible extension to September 2034. The total maximum value for all Near Space Network contracts is a substantial $4.82 billion.

Intuitive Machines will leverage its existing ground station network and collaborations with strategically located radio astronomy telescopes. “We believe these new awards complement our existing NSN contract and will expand our space communications and navigation service offerings,” stated Steve Altemus, chief executive of Intuitive Machines. KSAT will utilize its KSAT Lunar service. “KSAT has invested in the first commercial lunar network, and this will serve as a cornerstone for future support to NASA,” said Rolf Skatteboe, president and chief executive of KSAT.

This initiative reflects NASA’s strategy to enhance spacecraft communication capabilities and increase reliance on commercial services. The Near Space Network incorporates global ground stations and the Tracking and Data Relay Satellite (TDRS) system. As part of this shift, NASA plans to phase out the TDRS constellation, favoring commercial data relay satellites. In October, NASA announced it would cease accepting new TDRS missions, directing new missions to utilize commercial services. While the existing seven TDRS satellites will continue operation into the 2030s, supporting missions like the International Space Station and the Hubble Space Telescope, no further TDRS launches are planned.