Tabitha Reeves
The agency, which became part of the Space Force in 2022, has faced criticism for pushing forward with laser communications technology prematurely, but its rapid advancement has largely been a success, experts said during a panel at the Air and Space Forces Association’s recent Air, Space and Cyber Conference.
“The technology has moved faster in the past five years than I ever thought it would,” said Art Dhallin, director of military and strategic communications at Lockheed Martin. “That has largely been due to the demand signal the industry’s seen from SDA and in response taking a ‘go fast’ approach to your typical technology maturation. It has been, from my perspective, a success.”
Laser communications — also known as optical communications — use a narrow beam of infrared light to transmit data, sending information faster with greater precision and a lower risk of jamming than traditional radio waves. Space-based versions of the technology hold promise for defense missions, enabling warfighters to quickly and securely transfer data between satellites, ground stations and aircraft.
The Government Accountability Office reported in February that the Space Development Agency is issuing billions of dollars in laser communications-related contracts for its Proliferated Warfighter Space Architecture program despite not having demonstrated operational network links in space. GAO recommended the agency fully demonstrate the technology’s capabilities before sinking more money into the effort.
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