12 October 2026 York Space Systems released the technical details of two previously concluded orders from the US Space Force in support of the Space Data Network program. (SDN). Order, marked as Delivery Order 2 та Delivery Order 3, aimed at ensuring multilateral data interoperability and defining interfaces for orbital demonstrations. The company did not disclose the cost of the contracts and the execution schedule.
Згідно з Delivery Order 2, York Space Systems підтримуватиме демонстрацію сумісності за участю кількох постачальників із сузір’ям SDN-Backbone. Роботи передбачають оцінку технічних підходів до з’єднання космічних апаратів і наземних елементів через кілька паралельних шляхів обміну даними. Delivery Order 3 funds Phase A of the Space Exchange Point in-orbit demonstration. As part of this phase, the company will define standardized interfaces between the spacecraft bus and the payload, and will also develop payload integration procedures for subsequent flight equipment.
These orders are part of the overall architecture of the Space Data Network, яка має забезпечити оптично з’єднаний шар транспортування даних для Міністерства оборони США. York Space Systems' work aligns with the development of SDN architecture following SpaceX's selection to build the core SDN-Backbone constellation on the Starshield platform. The orders are also based on the company's experience in military and civilian relay networks, in particular on Polylingual Experimental Terminal missions (PExT) and BARD.
Execution of stage A according to the Delivery Order 3 creates basic interfaces, necessary before the Space Force makes a decision regarding further orbital prototypes. The joint assessments will provide open communication protocols between the York spacecraft and various defense ground stations, confirming reliable routing within military network topologies.
Source: https://satnews.com