spacenews.com
Aug 19, 2026
Rocket Lab to test Space Force data network connection in orbit in 2027
AI-summarised brief · reviewed before publication
Rocket Lab has secured a $12 million contract to equip one of its Photon satellites with optical communications hardware for a 2027 in‑orbit test of the U.S. Space Force’s Space Data Network (SDN). The test will demonstrate secure, interoperable links between the SpaceX‑built SDN backbone and satellites from other commercial vendors. Alongside Amazon LEO for Government, Lockheed Martin, Northrop Grumman, and York Space Systems, Rocket Lab is part of a $60 million consortium tasked with validating multi‑supplier connectivity for the SDN.
💡 Why It Matters
- · The demonstration marks a critical step toward a unified military space communications architecture that can integrate diverse commercial platforms, reducing reliance on a single vendor and enhancing operational flexibility.
