Following successful independent verification of its optical communication terminal at MIT Lincoln Laboratory’s Optical Terminal Verification Testbed, General Atomics Electromagnetic Systems (GA-EMS) has been selected to advance into Phase 3 of the U.S. Space Force’s Enterprise Space Terminal program, transitioning from prototype development to flight hardware production and demonstration. The verified architecture supports standardised satellite laser crosslinks, enabling spacecraft from multiple programs to exchange data directly via a common enterprise waveform — reducing dependence on ground relay stations and accelerating time-critical information delivery for national security missions. GA-EMS is leading the effort as prime contractor in partnership with L3Harris for the modem subsystem and Advanced Space for performance modelling.
