SDA Awards IonQ's Capella $49 Million For Tactical Space Comms Demonstration

The Space Development Agency (SDA) has awarded a $49 million contract to Capella Space, part of IonQ, for a tactical space communications demonstration mission supporting the Proliferated Warfighter Space Architecture (PWSA). The demonstration will test advanced satellite communication links designed to provide resilient, low-latency connectivity for warfighters operating in contested environments. The award is part of SDA's broader effort to build a layered commercial-military satellite constellation. Results from the demonstration will inform future PWSA transport layer procurement decisions.