The moon. Photo: Shutterstock

NASA announced a series of task orders on Dec. 20 under the agency’s Near Space Network services contracts. The Near Space Network provides communications and navigation services between NASA missions in space and mission operators on Earth. 

NASA will award Intuitive Machines two task orders on its contract for GEO to Cislunar Direct to Earth (DTE) Services, and Cislunar DTE Services to support NASA’s Lunar Exploration Ground Segment. NASA said this will provide “additional capacity to alleviate demand on the Deep Space Network and to meet the mission requirements for unique, highly elliptical orbits.” 

Norway’s Kongsberg Satellite Services will receive two task order awards on its contract for Earth Proximity DTE and supporting science missions in Low-Earth Orbit (LEO) and NASA’s Lunar Exploration Ground Segment. 

In addition, SSC Space U.S. Inc. will receive two task orders to support science missions in LEO to meet the mission requirements for unique, highly elliptical orbits. And Viasat will also receive a task order to support science missions in LEO.