# SDA Awards SpaceX Laser Integration Study

The Space Development Agency (SDA) awarded SpaceX a study contract to reduce technical risk for its Plug and Play Laser (Plaser) communications terminal, deliver representative hardware, and assess integration with SDA missile-warning and tracking satellites. The contract is valued at $9.9 million initially, with options that could raise the total to nearly $12.7 million. Work is scheduled through October 7, 2027, in Hawthorne, California, and Redmond, Washington, and addresses interoperability within the Space Force’s satellite communications architecture.

- The study covers optical communications hardware, software, and integration with missile-tracking systems; its findings may shape future satellite terminal, translator, and transmission-standard needs.
- Contractors with optical communications, satellite integration, hardware, or software capabilities can use the study’s scope to assess their fit for potential follow-on requirements.
- The contract includes options, so the potential value is not guaranteed; the work is scheduled to continue through October 7, 2027.

**Jurisdictions:** federal
**Industries:** Defense & Military, Information Technology
**Topics:** Digital Infrastructure
**Published:** November 12, 2026

### Government Entities
- Space Development Agency (SDA)
- United States Space Force (USSF)

### Vendors
- SpaceX (Awardee)

### Sources
- [SDA explores integration of SpaceX laser communication terminals with missile tracking sats - Breaking Defense](https://breakingdefense.com/2026/11/sda-explores-integration-of-spacex-laser-communication-terminals-with-missile-tracking-sats) - Breaking Defense
- [SpaceX Lands SDA Contract for Laser Risk Reduction Study](https://www.executivebiz.com/articles/spacex-sda-plaser-risk-reduction-study-contract) - ExecutiveBiz