Airbus to support DARPA’s Blackjack programme
Airbus Defense and Space has received a contract from the US Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) to develop a satellite bus in support of the Blackjack programme, Airbus announced on 14 January.
The Blackjack programme is an architecture demonstration that aims to demonstrate the military utility of global low-earth orbit constellations and mesh networks of lower size, weight and cost.
DARPA intends to buy commercial satellite buses and pair them with military sensors and payloads. The bus drives each satellite by generating power, controlling attitude, providing propulsion, transmitting spacecraft telemetry and providing general payload accommodation including mounting locations for the military sensors.
Airbus will work with its strategic joint venture partner, OneWeb Satellites, on the Blackjack programme. OneWeb Satellites designs and produces ultra-high performing satellites at high-volumes.
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