The US Space Force has awarded BAE Systems a $1.2-billion contract to design and build 10 Epoch 2 spacecraft for the Resilient Missile Warning and Tracking Medium Earth Orbit (MEO) program.
The deal covers a four-year delivery timeline and an additional five years for operations and support, in addition to developing a ground system for satellite constellation management.
Featuring an enhanced electro-optical/infrared sensor and communication payload, Epoch 2 will operate in MEO — 2,000 to 36,000 kilometers (1,242 miles to 22,369 miles) above sea level — to detect and track threats, including enemy intercontinental ballistic missiles and hypersonic missiles.
“This effort builds on our capabilities to facilitate low cost, integrated satellite defense programs that bring together payload and bus builds, while managing ground support, operations and sustainment,” said Thai Sheridan, VP and GM of Military Space for BAE Systems.
“Our system enables close coordination through a ‘one-team’ approach across capabilities that are critical for missile warning and tracking success.”
MEO Satellites
After Epoch 2’s first expected delivery in fiscal year 2029, the second-generation satellites are intended to work alongside the Epoch 1, currently under development by Boeing subsidiary Millennium Space Systems and Raytheon Intelligence & Space since they were contracted in 2021.
They were joined by L3 Harris, responsible for designing the Epoch 1 spacecraft’s sensor payload, in June 2023. However, RTX was booted from the program in the first half of 2024 due to cost overruns and design challenges.
The first tranche in the 12-unit Epoch 1 order will launch next year.
The service aims to deliver new MEO satellites with enhanced capabilities every two to three years, intending to operate a baseline number of around 30 satellites for the program.
“Epoch 2 is in alignment with the Chief of Space Operation’s top priority to provide accurate real-time information to decision-makers. This allows for additional resiliency in the missile warning and tracking satellite architecture,” said Lt. Col. Brandon Castillo, materiel leader, Epoch 2 program office.
