What Happened
Advancing Space Communications Capabilities
NASA has successfully launched two commercial satellite communication demonstrations into low Earth orbit aboard the SpaceX Bandwagon-5 rideshare. The demonstrations, led by Viasat and SES Space and Defense, will test high- and low-rate communications capabilities designed to support NASA’s science missions. The effort is part of NASA’s decision to transition future low Earth orbit missions to commercial alternatives, as reported by Unknown Source.