In August 2023, Hughes Network Systems, LLC, an EchoStar company, was awarded a five-year Indefinite Delivery Indefinite Quantity (IDIQ) contract by the U.S. Space Force. This contract, valued at up to $900 million, is designed to provide proliferated Low Earth Orbit (LEO) satellite-based services to the Department of Defense (DoD), other federal agencies, and international coalition partners. Under this agreement, Hughes will offer fully managed, low-latency LEO services utilizing capacity from two satellite constellations: OneWeb and EchoStar Lyra™. ([hughes.com](

Understanding Low Earth Orbit (LEO) Satellite Services

Low Earth Orbit satellites operate at altitudes ranging from approximately 100 to 1,240 miles above Earth's surface. This proximity results in reduced signal travel times, or latency, compared to satellites in higher orbits. LEO satellites are particularly advantageous for applications requiring real-time or near-real-time communication, such as remote control of unmanned vehicles and transmission of Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (ISR) data. Additionally, LEO networks can provide comprehensive global coverage, including over oceans and polar regions, making them suitable for areas lacking traditional infrastructure. ([hughes.com](

The U.S. Space Force's Vision for Satellite Communications

The U.S. Space Force has articulated a vision to evolve satellite communications into a unified enterprise capable of meeting the global secure connectivity needs of joint forces across all domains—air, land, sea, space, cyber, and electromagnetic spectrum. This vision aims to deliver information accessibility to the warfighter in contested, degraded, and operationally-limited environments for decades to come. The proliferation of LEO satellite services is central to achieving this objective, as it offers enhanced reliability, resiliency, and cost-effectiveness in satellite communications. ([hughes.com](

Hughes' Role in Advancing LEO Satellite Services

Hughes has been at the forefront of developing and deploying LEO satellite services. The company's partnership with OneWeb Technologies Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of OneWeb, has enabled Hughes to deliver managed, wideband LEO services to the DoD. These services are now available under the IDIQ contract and the General Services Administration (GSA) Schedule. Additionally, Hughes offers narrowband services over the EchoStar Lyra constellation, a system developed by EchoStar, Hughes' parent company, for Internet of Things (IoT) connectivity and 5G non-terrestrial networks. ([hughes.com](

Implications for the Department of Defense and Federal Agencies

The IDIQ contract with Hughes provides the DoD and other federal agencies with access to cost-effective, reliable, and resilient satellite communication solutions. By leveraging Hughes' LEO services, these agencies can enhance their operational capabilities across all domains. The availability of both wideband and narrowband services allows for tailored solutions to meet diverse mission requirements, from high-bandwidth data transmission to IoT connectivity. ([hughes.com](

Conclusion

The award of the IDIQ contract to Hughes Network Systems signifies a strategic advancement in the U.S. Space Force's efforts to modernize and expand satellite communications capabilities. By integrating proliferated LEO satellite services into its operations, the DoD and its partners are poised to achieve enhanced connectivity, operational flexibility, and mission success in an increasingly complex and contested global environment. ([hughes.com](

Sources

  • Hughes Network Systems, LLC — Awarded Space Force IDIQ Contract for Low Earth Orbit (LEO) Satellite Services —
  • Hughes Network Systems, LLC — Proliferated Low Earth Orbit (pLEO) Contract Enables Space Force to Achieve its Vision for SATCOM —
  • Hughes Network Systems, LLC — Awarded Space Force IDIQ Contract for Low Earth Orbit (LEO) Satellite Services —
  • Hughes Network Systems, LLC — Awarded Space Force IDIQ Contract for Low Earth Orbit (LEO) Satellite Services —
  • Hughes Network Systems, LLC — Awarded Space Force IDIQ Contract for Low Earth Orbit (LEO) Satellite Services —