What Happened
DARPA Hands Off Satellite Communication Initiative to Defense Innovation Unit
The Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) is winding down its Space-BACN project, which aimed to develop universal satellite laser links, and transitioning it to the Defense Innovation Unit (DIU). The program’s goal is to enable seamless communication among satellite constellations, a critical component of the Space Force’s emerging Space Data Network. With DIU taking over, the program may be closer to on-orbit demonstration and eventual adoption by the military. This development was first reported by Breaking Defense.