NASA’s New Technology Lets Spacecraft Switch Between Networks
NASA’s New Technology Lets Spacecraft Switch Between Networks
https://scitechdaily.com/nasas-new-technology-lets-spacecraft-switch-between-networks/
Publish Date: 2026-06-08 07:42:00
Source Domain: scitechdaily.com
An artist’s concept of the Polylingual Experimental Terminal (PExT) transmitting data. Credit: NASA/Morgan Johnson
NASA just demonstrated a technology that lets spacecraft communicate across multiple networks, paving the way for a more flexible and reliable space internet.
NASA’s experimental Polylingual Experimental Terminal (PExT) has successfully completed its primary technology demonstration, marking an important step toward more flexible communications in space. Because the project met its original goals and continues to show promise, NASA has decided to keep the mission running to explore new partnerships and test additional capabilities.
Launched on July 23, 2025, aboard York Space Systems’ BARD spacecraft, PExT was designed to show how wideband communications technology can help spacecraft connect through multiple satellite relay networks. Traditionally, missions have been limited to a single communications network. PExT uses the widely adopted Ka-band spectrum to enable data transmission across both government and commercial systems.
NASA Demonstrates Multi-Network Space Communications
The mission achieved its main objectives in December 2025. During the demonstration, PExT successfully transmitted data to Earth through NASA’s Tracking and Relay Satellite system as well as commercial communications networks operated by Viasat and SES Space and Defense.
Following that success, NASA began extended mission operations in January 2026. Those activities are now expected to continue through April 2027.
An artist’s concept of the Polylingual Experimental Terminal (PExT) communicating direct-to-Earth. Credit: NASA/Morgan Johnson
Testing Direct-to-Earth Communications
As part of the extended mission, NASA is carrying out new demonstrations that include both direct-to-Earth forward and return communications links using SSC Space’s global ground station network.
The project is scheduled to complete more than 50 direct communications sessions with Earth through…
