American company SpaceLink looks set to select European manufacturer OHB System to build its four satellite data-relay constellation, according to an announcement on 13 October. In the announcement SpaceLink states that the contract is “expected to exceed US$300 million”. The SpaceLink fleet will utilise three satellites positioned in Medium Earth Orbit (MEO) equipped with laser terminals to provide a high-speed, secure service. Initial plans envisioned a three satellite architecture but this has since changed to utilise four satellites.
The two companies are still in final negotiations but expect to finalise a contract with an Authorisation to Proceed “next week”. Filings which SpaceLink owner Electro Optic Systems (EOS), an Australian company, inherited through its purchase of Audacy Corp require a rapid build schedule. Its ITU filings give it until 2028 however, those with the American FCC mandate beginning satellite operations by mid-2024.
SpaceLink has not secured launches for these satellites yet. A more risky, but quicker, single launch approach may be available to it depending on satellite mass and launcher availability though.
