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The BADGER antenna opens up new horizons for satellite control.
Virginia-based startup BlueHalo has reached an important milestone in testing a new antenna system designed to upgrade the U.S. Space Force's legacy Satellite Control Network (SCN). A phased antenna system called BADGER promises to be a key upgrade for SCN.
BADGER's first demonstration test, conducted in late August, "marked the first end - to-end test of guided phased antenna modules and software," said Colonel Greg Hoffman of SpRCO's Strategic Rapid Acquisition Office.
Kelly Hammett, head of the independent Space Office of Rapid Opportunities (SpRCO), which manages this project, said that the first unit will be delivered in the spring of 2025. He also noted that the possibility of accelerating the deployment of new antennas is being considered, given the critical need to modernize the SCN.
SCN primarily supports satellite launches and early operations, tracks and manages satellites, and provides emergency support for staggering and lost satellites owned by the military, NASA, and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). The network includes 19 antennas and ground-based systems in seven locations around the world.
Unlike current SCN antennas, which can only communicate with one satellite at a time, phased antennas can communicate with many satellites simultaneously. BADGER uses "Multi-band Software-defined Antennas (MSDA)" technology, allowing simultaneous contact with more than 10 satellites at a time.
Initially, the SCAR program planned to deploy 12 BADGER units, but due to lack of funds, plans may change. It should be noted that in April, a report by the Office for Public Expenditure Control drew attention to the need to upgrade antennas for SCN.
It should be noted that BlueHalo plans to move to a full-scale build of BADGER next year, which makes this project very promising for improving the US space infrastructure.
Virginia-based startup BlueHalo has reached an important milestone in testing a new antenna system designed to upgrade the U.S. Space Force's legacy Satellite Control Network (SCN). A phased antenna system called BADGER promises to be a key upgrade for SCN.
BADGER's first demonstration test, conducted in late August, "marked the first end - to-end test of guided phased antenna modules and software," said Colonel Greg Hoffman of SpRCO's Strategic Rapid Acquisition Office.
Kelly Hammett, head of the independent Space Office of Rapid Opportunities (SpRCO), which manages this project, said that the first unit will be delivered in the spring of 2025. He also noted that the possibility of accelerating the deployment of new antennas is being considered, given the critical need to modernize the SCN.
SCN primarily supports satellite launches and early operations, tracks and manages satellites, and provides emergency support for staggering and lost satellites owned by the military, NASA, and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). The network includes 19 antennas and ground-based systems in seven locations around the world.
Unlike current SCN antennas, which can only communicate with one satellite at a time, phased antennas can communicate with many satellites simultaneously. BADGER uses "Multi-band Software-defined Antennas (MSDA)" technology, allowing simultaneous contact with more than 10 satellites at a time.
Initially, the SCAR program planned to deploy 12 BADGER units, but due to lack of funds, plans may change. It should be noted that in April, a report by the Office for Public Expenditure Control drew attention to the need to upgrade antennas for SCN.
It should be noted that BlueHalo plans to move to a full-scale build of BADGER next year, which makes this project very promising for improving the US space infrastructure.
