ATLAS Space Operations Inc., a Traverse City-based space communications company, has won a 12-month Department of Defense contract to develop a prototype satellite communications solution for multiple U.S. Air Force mission applications based on its LINKS platform.
The contract calls for ATLAS to deliver a complete satellite communications platform tailored to the Air Force’s Multi-Band Multi-Mission requirements, as outlined by the Space and Missile Systems Center’s Range and Network Systems Division.
The resulting platform will provide several key advantages that have proven challenging for traditional antenna equipment, including the ability to communicate with multiple satellites simultaneously, tracking of resident space objects, and providing enhanced telemetry data to ascending launch vehicles. The man-portable LINKS platform will increase capacity, flexibility, interoperability, automation, and resiliency of space operations, according to ATLAS.
“Working directly with the Air Force will ensure LINKS’ capabilities precisely meet their requirements,” says Sean McDaniel, CEO of ATLAS. “This development process and adherence to the Air Force’s high standards will ultimately lead to a product that will easily meet or exceed the requirements of the commercial sector down the road.”
Upon completion of the program, ATLAS will hold demonstrations at Schriever Air Force Base in Colorado Springs to highlight LINKS’ features, design, and multi-mission capabilities.
