DARPA Tasks Mynaric to Continue Developing Inter-Satellite Communications Terminal

Munich-based Mynaric has announced that it is joining the 20-month second phase of Space-Based Adaptive Communications Node, a Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency program to connect public and private sector low-Earth orbit satellite constellations.

DARPA aims to acquire a low-cost and scalable optical communications terminal that can be reconfigured to process different optical inter-satellite link standards, Mynaric said Tuesday.

Tim Deaver, Mynaric’s vice president of U.S. government sales and strategic solutions, said the technology will create interoperability between government and commercial networks. Deaver, a 4×24 member, added that Space-BACN will enhance national security.

Efforts are expected to build on design and modeling work during Phase 0 and Phase 1 of the program.

According to Mynaric Chief Technology Officer Joachim Horwath, his company’s product design is prioritizing Space-BACN’s core goal of manufacturability.

Mynaric is also building optical communications terminals and ground stations to support Space Development Agency programs such as the Tranche 1 Transport Layer and Tracking Layer.