Space Force seeks fresh bidders for satellite-control antennas

Key Points:

• The U.S. Space Force has relaunched its Satellite Communication Augmentation Resource (SCAR) program, seeking industry proposals for mobile satellite-control antennas after canceling a $1.7 billion contract with AeroVironment.
• The new solicitation emphasizes commercially derived electronically steered phased-array antennas to supplement the aging Satellite Control Network, moving away from a single-vendor, customized design toward open competition and scalable production.
• The program aims to address capacity limitations caused by mechanically steered dishes that handle one satellite at a time, by introducing systems capable of supporting multiple simultaneous satellite links through electronic beam steering.
• The competition is expected to attract both established defense contractors and emerging commercial companies like Northwood Space, which recently secured significant funding and contracts for modular phased-array ground stations.
• Industry experts note that the current acquisition environment is lowering barriers for commercial suppliers, creating new opportunities for innovative satellite ground infrastructure solutions.