U.S. Space Force awards K2 Space $22.9 million for orbital laser‑communications test

The U.S. Space Force has granted K2 Space a $22.9 million contract to demonstrate laser‑communication terminals that can transmit data directly between satellites. Under the award, K2 will procure, integrate, launch and operate two Enterprise Space Terminals as hosted payloads on separate K2 satellites, with the demonstration slated for completion by 2028. The program is part of the larger Enterprise Space Terminal effort, a roughly $100 million initiative that includes Phase 3 suppliers CACI International, General Atomics and Viasat, all developing optical‑communication hardware to meet common standards.

The capability is intended to support the Pentagon’s space‑based sensing and targeting networks, enabling rapid sharing of missile‑warning, tracking and targeting data across low, medium and high‑orbit satellites. K2 Space, based in Torrance, California, recently secured $500 million in financing, positioning the company to move from demonstration missions to larger commercial and military satellite contracts.