Maxar to Research Potential Improvements for NASA Space Comms Tech

Maxar Technologies will help NASA research future systems which will aim to improve the agency’s existing space communications architecture. The resulting technology is intended to provide support for scientific and exploration missions starting in the mid-2020s in Earth orbit, on the moon and across the solar system.

The company said Thursday it will analyze concepts to integrate advanced optical communications and radio frequency services into the space agency’s Space Network, which relays information between satellites using space satellites and ground systems.

A framework designed for transferring government-owned and -managed space services to commercially developed and operated services will also be assessed in the study.

“This award highlights Maxar’s ongoing commitment to the development of innovative space solutions that will open up a new realm of possibilities for human exploration,” said Megan Fitzgerald, senior vice president and general manager of space solutions at Maxar Technologies.

She added that the future communications architecture will help NASA cut costs in the development and operations of government-owned systems and contribute to the advancement of new technologies.