# Space-To-Space Communications

**R-2A activity** of project 645601 — Space Defense Capabilities  
**Program element:** 1206427SF — Space Systems Prototype Transitions (SSPT)  
**Component:** U.S. Space Force · **Budget Activity:** 4  
**Vintage:** President's Budget PB2027  
**Canonical URL:** https://hitchintel.com/programs/1206427SF/645601/a2  
**Parent:** https://hitchintel.com/programs/1206427SF/645601

## Summary

This activity requests $20.1M in FY2027, 23% of project 645601, down 51% on FY2026. The R-2A exhibit describes it across FY2026–FY2027, including what the FY2027 money is planned to buy.

## What the FY2027 request buys

**FY2027 planned work.** Complete development of the optical space terminals, conduct functional and performance testing of the terminals on the government testbed at MIT/LL, conduct environmental testing on the terminals, and continue development of the Space Data Network C2 System.

**FY2026 to FY2027 change.** FY 2027 decreased by $20.637 million due to planned completion and delivery of the optical communication terminal prototypes in 3Q FY 2027.

## Before the request year

**FY2026 plans — current year.** Funds were erroneously transferred to PE 1203609SF and will be realigned back for execution towards: - Continued development of optical communication terminal prototypes through Other Transaction Agreements and fund development, testing, and maintenance of the Optical Terminal Verification Testbed at Massachusetts Institute of Technology Lincoln Laboratory (MIT/LL). - Developing interface controls and integration plans in preparation for a space-based prototype demonstration. Mature networking management of optical crosslink terminals in partnerships with other organizations.

## Funding

| Fiscal Year | Estimate Type | Amount ($M) |
|---|---|---|
| FY2025 | Actual | 53.3 |
| FY2026 | Enacted | 40.7 |
| FY2027 | Request | 20.1 |

> Prior, current and budget year only — an R-2A activity carries no five-year plan. It sums exactly into its project in the request year and not necessarily in any other.

## Other activities in project 645601

- [Technology Maturation and Prototype Development](https://hitchintel.com/programs/1206427SF/645601/a0) — FY2027 46.1
- [Prototype Integration, Test and On-Orbit Prototype Demonstration](https://hitchintel.com/programs/1206427SF/645601/a1) — FY2027 21.6

## Source & machine access

- **Source:** FY2027 Department of the Air Force RDT&E Budget Justification, Exhibit R-2A, PE 1206427SF project 645601 (PB PB2027). Narrative is the government's own text.
- **No marks, no contractors at this grain** — congressional marks land on the program element and R-3 performers on the project.
- **MCP:** `mcp.hitchintel.com` — `budget_get_activity`.

*HitchAI is an independent intelligence service, not affiliated with the U.S. Department of Defense. Budget figures are requests/estimates, not obligations.*