SSC Seeks Evolved Strategic Communications Space Vehicle Manufacturer

The Space Systems Command is seeking to award a contract to develop and produce four space vehicles under the Evolved Strategic Communications Space Development and Production initiative.

According to the solicitation notice, the SSC needs a vendor capable and experienced in delivering an XDR payload with uplink and downlink antennas and radiofrequency electronics to down-convert and up-convert user signals. The contractor should have a good grasp of the NC3 mission and the ability to deliver user terminals compatible with the ESS space segment constellation capabilities.

Interested parties can submit their proposals until July 2, according to the notice posted on SAM .gov.

Cordell DeLaPena Jr., program executive officer for military communications and position, navigation and timing at SSC, said the ESS will provide the U.S. armed forces with a jam-resistant satellite communication network for its nuclear command, control and communications mission.

Plans for the ESS constellation were disclosed in October after DeLaPena shared that the service branch would be issuing a request for proposals to acquire resilient satellite communication technologies for the U.S. military.