Transport Layer

The Transport Layer is a satellite communications (SATCOM) network using laser communications instead of radiofrequency communications. The US Space Force (USSF) Space Development Agency (SDA) awarded two contracts (Transport Layer Tranche 0) in August 2020 to York Space Systems and Lockheed Martin to build 20 spacecraft. The network is expected to encompass hundreds of satellites. Laser communications are more reliable than radio waves while being immune to jamming and interception. The Transport Layer is expected to become part of the HBTSS constellation along the Tracking Layer and potentially other networks. The Tranche 1 Transport Layer (T1TL) calls for 126 optically connected satellites placed in Near-Polar Low Earth Orbit with Lockheed Martin, York Space Systems and Northrop Grumman to built 42 satellites each. The T1TL contract worth $1.8 billion was awarded on February 28, 2022. The US Space Force will start placing them into orbit in September 2024.

deagel.com: https://www.deagel.com/x/x/a004031