Space Force cancels Astrion from Resilient GPS program

The Space Force has terminated its contract with one of the four companies working on designs for its Resilient GPS (R-GPS) program following an initial design review, Defense News has learned.

In September, Space Systems Command (SSC) awarded $10 million contracts to L3Harris, Sierra Space, Astranis, and Axient—now part of Astrion—to develop early concepts for a constellation of small, low-cost, resilient GPS satellites. However, after reviewing initial designs in December and January, SSC decided to discontinue Astrion’s contract, according to Cordell DeLaPena, program executive officer for military communications and positioning, navigation, and timing.

SSC is still finalizing the terms of the contract cancellation, so it remains unclear how much funding will be reallocated among the remaining companies. Initially, the four firms were funded for six months of work on the R-GPS program. The additional funds are expected to help the remaining three companies complete the program’s first phase, which will conclude this spring with a final design review and demonstration.