NASA recently selected four companies to provide communications services in low-Earth orbit, on the Moon, between satellites and the planet, and with space missions up to 2 million km from Earth. Today NASA independently maintains communications in this space, but in the future it intends to shift this task to private companies.
Image source: NASA
The network in the mentioned space is called Near Space Network (NSN) – near space network. There is also deep space communications, which, for example, ensures the transmission of data from the Voyager probes on the outskirts of the solar system. For this purpose, separate stations and systems are used. The NSN network is based on a chain of ground stations and the TDRS satellite constellation. With its help, in particular, communication is carried out with the James Webb Space Observatory. As commercial NSN nodes are deployed, the TDRS constellation will be phased out and completely replaced by commercial space networks by approximately 2030.
Task Orders from NASA to organize communications in near-Earth space were received by Intuitive Machines, Kongsberg Satellite Services (KSAT), SSC Space and Viasat. Some of the services they provide overlap, and some are unique. The total value of the contract is $4.82 billion, and this amount is likely to increase, which has already become practice in such cases. For these funds, NASA expects to operate the network (and pay for related services) from February 2025 to September 2029, with the possibility of extending service until September 2034.
Intuitive Machines earlier this year already received an order from NASA to create the lunar segment of the NSN network for communication between the Moon and geostationary orbit around the Earth. The two new orders cover direct communications services to Earth and communications support for lunar missions, including navigation. KSAT will also create a network for navigation and communications for lunar missions, as well as provide direct communications with Earth for spacecraft in Earth orbit.
SSC Space will create a space network to communicate with vehicles in low Earth orbit and in “unique highly elliptical orbits.” In the latter case, we are probably talking about communication with missions at Lagrange points (for example, with the Webb telescope and others) at a distance of up to 2 million km from Earth. Finally, Viasat will provide communications with vehicles in low-Earth orbit.
Apparently, NASA will transfer some or all of its ground infrastructure to private companies. For example, Intuitive Machines said it will use its existing network of ground stations to support missions and will also enter into agreements with “strategically located” radio astronomy telescopes.
As noted above, NASA has no plans to launch additional TDRS satellites. However, the existing fleet of seven TDRS satellites in geostationary orbit will continue to operate until the 2030s, maintaining communications with the International Space Station, the Hubble Space Telescope and other devices in Earth orbit.