The US Space Force will launch 21 military communications satellites in low orbit.

Launch as the start of PWSA deployment

The US Space Force is preparing for a historic launch — no earlier than September 10, a mission will take place in which 21 satellites designed to provide safe and stable military communications will be launched into space. This launch will be the first stage in the deployment of the Expanded Space Fighter Architecture (PWSA), being developed by the Space Development Agency (SDA).

The role of satellites in the new space architecture

The satellites will be placed in low Earth orbit (LEO), which will ensure minimal data transmission delay and high resistance to interference. They will become part of a multi—layered space network designed to provide the US armed forces with operational access to real-time data, from intelligence to weapon guidance.

PWSA is a network of hundreds of satellites divided into functional layers: communications, threat tracking, navigation, and data processing. The first launch forms the basis of the "transport layer", a key element responsible for the transfer of information between land, sea, air and space platforms.

York Space Systems is a key contractor for the mission

All 21 spacecraft were built by York Space Systems, one of the leading American manufacturers of standardized satellite platforms. The use of unified buses and modular architecture allows for shorter development times and lower production costs, which is consistent with PWSA's concept of mass but efficient deployment.

The satellites are equipped with optical (laser) inter-satellite communication lines, which allows them to exchange data without using ground-based repeaters, increasing network security and autonomy.

The strategic importance of the low-orbit grouping

The deployment of PWSA is a response to growing threats in space, including anti—satellite weapons and electronic warfare. The massive grouping on the DOE makes the system more stable.: The failure of individual satellites does not disrupt the overall functionality.

This mission marks the transition from using large, expensive satellites to a flexible, distributed and scalable space infrastructure, which changes the very logic of conducting military operations in the 21st century.