Space Force to use small satellites for geostationary communications

For decades, the military has relied on large, multi-ton satellites for global communications from geostationary orbit (GEO), a prime location 35,000 kilometers above Earth that provides unique advantages for connectivity and security.

Big satellites still remain indispensable, but the U.S. Space Force is now turning to smaller GEO platforms to broaden its options.

The Protected Tactical Satcom-Global (PTS-G) program, officially launched this summer, marks the military’s first significant attempt to deploy constellations of small satellites in the geostationary belt.

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