NASA Selects Three Firms for Ka-Band Relay
NASA picked Astranis, Global Enterprise Solutions and Viasat to develop Ka-band space relay concepts as it retires its aging Tracking and Data Relay Satellite fleet.
Updated on Nov. 4, 2026 in Space
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NASA selected Astranis Space Technologies Corp., Global Enterprise Solutions Inc., and Viasat Inc. to develop Ka-band space relay capability concepts. The awards support NASA's plan to gradually retire the Tracking and Data Relay Satellite fleet in favor of commercial services.
Why it matters
The contracts provide Ka-band communications for in-orbit missions that cannot modify flight hardware or move to incompatible commercial services. They signal a shift toward commercially supplied relay infrastructure for U.S. space operations.
The three awards carry maximum potential values of $264.3 million for Astranis, $340.4 million for Global Enterprise Solutions and $460.9 million for Viasat, inclusive of all future options. Whether any company advances beyond concept development to an in-orbit demonstration remains undetermined.
The players
NASA
The National Aeronautics and Space Administration is the U.S. government agency responsible for civil space exploration and research, and it is retiring its Tracking and Data Relay Satellite fleet.
Viasat Inc.
Viasat is a U.S. satellite communications company that provides broadband, government and defense networking services.
Astranis Space Technologies Corp.
Astranis is a U.S. startup that builds small geostationary communications satellites in partnership with commercial and government customers.
Global Enterprise Solutions Inc.
Global Enterprise Solutions is a contractor selected alongside Astranis and Viasat for NASA's Ka-band relay concept work.
The details
The awards are firm-fixed-price contracts issued through the SCaN program's Communications Services Project. NASA intends to acquire end-to-end solutions spanning space, ground, launch, operations and integration elements.
Timeline
Nov. 4, 2026: NASA announces the three Ka-band relay selections.
May 3, 2027: The initial period of performance ends.
2029: End of priced options for continued work.
Roadmap
NASA's gradual retirement of the Tracking and Data Relay Satellite fleet marks a move from government-owned relay infrastructure toward commercial services. These Ka-band awards are an early step in replacing that capability with privately supplied systems.
The awards are concept-stage contracts, so no new relay service is available yet for missions or the public. Their practical effect is to shape which companies may supply future communications links for NASA's in-orbit missions.
The takeaway
NASA's shift to commercial relay services is moving from plans into funded development. Watch whether any awardee advances to an in-orbit demonstration before the 2027 milestone.
What happens next
NASA may decide whether to fund an in-orbit flight demonstration for any of the three companies, and the initial period of performance runs through May 3, 2027.
Further reading
Explore more on the Space beat for context on NASA's relay and communications programs.
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