York Space Systems Selected for U.S. Space Force Space Data Network

York Space Systems  has been selected by the United States Space Force (USSF) for the Space Data Network Backbone (SDN-B) program.

SDN-B is the USSF's program to deliver an integrated, space-based data network built on commercial technologies. York's selection reflects the company's proven performance on orbit and its ability to deliver at scale through commercial manufacturing.

"We are proud to support the Space Data Network Backbone and the Space Force's vision for a resilient space-based architecture," said Dirk Wallinger, CEO of York. "This on-ramp award reflects performance we have already demonstrated on orbit and a manufacturing base built to deliver at scale. We are encouraged that the government remains committed to a resilient supply base for this architecture, which strengthens the industrial base and delivers better outcomes for the warfighter. Resilience is not something you can add on top of an architecture. It has to be designed in, and it starts with multiple vendors who have the proven ability to deliver large quantity production."

The SDN-B will underpin the communications layer in support of a multitude of needs. Resilient assured communication will increasingly become an in-theater need, that will play a more decisive role in modern conflict, with mission effectiveness and survivability tied directly to assured, resilient communications across every phase of many missions. In an air superiority denied environment, space will be the enabling network of those communications and, as a result, the foundation of the defense architectures that will define the next era of warfighting.

"The character of conflict has changed, and the architectures underneath it have to change with it," Wallinger added. "Whoever controls the assured communication systems controls the fight. That is why jam resistant communications and aPNT matter, and it’s why York is investing where we are. We are building for a warfighter who will operate across manned and unmanned formations, and we intend to be the prime that delivers the space-based infrastructure they will count on to win."

The SDN award follows a series of major program milestones for the company. Earlier this year, York became the first performer to complete its full Tranche 1 Transport Layer (T1TL) delivery for the Space Development Agency, with all 42 York-built satellites now launched and confirmed healthy on orbit. SDN-B adds to the eight mission sets York currently executes under contract, reflecting the breadth of the company's mission capability and its position across the next-generation space architectures defining modern de