Startup Tensor aims to supply the component, which could become critical to the Pentagon's missile defense architecture in space: compact radio stations, capable of rapidly transmitting targeting data between satellites and interceptors.
For reference: The Tensor company was founded in 2025 year by radio frequency systems engineer Christopher Timperio with the support of venture capitalist Christopher Klaus. She is based in Los Angeles
and uses Small Business Innovation Research contracts as an entry point into the defense market. The company specializes in space radio frequency communication.
Golden Dome program, which provides for the placement of space interceptors to protect the US territory from missile threats, depends on constant updates of sensors in orbit. Updates should be transmitted in milliseconds, even in difficult opposition conditions, which creates new requirements for radio frequency communication systems. US space forces, who lead the development of interceptors, demand for thousands of radio stations is predicted, able to work with a complex signal form called Link-182. Link-182 is designed for secure data exchange between satellites and interceptors in orbit. This waveform has been identified as the baseline for the US Space Force's next generation space-based data communications network. Expected, that the Golden Dome will rely on this architecture in its work.
Last week, the Space Systems Command of the US Space Force announced the conclusion of contracts worth up to 3,2 billion dollars from 12 companies, which are concentrated, among other things, at the demonstration of satellite communication using the Link-182 protocol. As of today, a team of five engineers is working on the company's prototype. The first ground tests are planned to be completed in the third quarter 2026 year, and next year the company will move on to orbital demonstrations, to confirm radio compatibility with MILNET directly from space.
For reference: MILNET is the US Space Force's satellite communications network, which uses a deployed constellation of Starshield satellites, created by SpaceX, for data transmission in orbit.
Tensor is already working with companies, involved in the Golden Dome interceptor program, The company tested its radio technology under harsh conditions, in particular at Palmer Station in Antarctica, where she evaluated S-band channels with anti-jamming functions. Link-182 was not used during testing, however, it was aimed at testing such possibilities.
Tensor noted, that the product architecture and logistics are designed for mass production from the beginning. In the event of an increase in demand, the company plans to expand by attracting production partners. Even in spite of that, that defense agencies and industry are pushing optical communications, which can transmit large amounts of data using laser channels, demand for radio frequency systems, as expected, will be stored. Optical systems offer higher data rates, but have stricter targeting requirements and greater complexity, making them less suitable for some missions, in particular the military.
Source: https://spacenews.com