WHAT IS THIS?

This is a contract where NASA (National Aeronautics and Space Administration) is paying Peraton Inc. up to $1.5 billion over about eight years to help manage the communication systems that keep NASA's spacecraft connected to Earth. Peraton will help run satellites and ground stations that relay signals between NASA and missions in space, and will work to bring two of NASA's three communication networks under one unified management system.

WHY WAS THIS FUNDED?

NASA is authorized by Congress to operate space exploration and communication programs, and the agency's Space Communications and Navigation (SCAN) program requires contractor support to run complex satellite relay systems. This contract is meant to improve efficiency by unifying management practices across NASA's networks.

WHAT PUBLIC PROBLEM IS IT TRYING TO SOLVE?

NASA currently runs three separate space communication networks that are not fully managed in a consistent way, which can create inefficiencies and gaps in keeping spacecraft connected. This contract addresses the need for reliable, unified communication between Earth and NASA's many missions in space, which is essential for scientific discovery and exploration.

WHO BENEFITS?

Scientists, astronauts, and mission teams across NASA benefit because they depend on these communication networks to send commands to spacecraft and receive data back. Employees at Peraton Inc. and its subcontractors also benefit through jobs created or sustained by this long-term contract.

WHAT ARE THE RISKS?

A contract of this size and length, running nearly eight years, carries risks related to cost overruns, performance monitoring, and ensuring the contractor meets technical goals on time. The contract type is listed as unknown, which makes it harder to assess how financial risk is shared between the government and Peraton.

WHAT HAPPENS IF FUNDING IS REMOVED?

Without this contract, NASA could lose the contractor workforce needed to operate and maintain the satellite relay systems and ground stations that keep spacecraft in contact with Earth. Missions could face communication disruptions, and the planned effort to unify the two networks would likely stall or stop.

ARGUMENTS FOR

• •Reliable space communication is essential for the success of NASA missions, including those that advance scientific knowledge and future human exploration.
• •Unifying two separate networks under one management approach could reduce redundancy, improve coordination, and potentially save money over time.
• •A long-term contract provides stability for a complex technical operation that requires consistent, specialized expertise.

ARGUMENTS AGAINST

• •At $1.5 billion over eight years, this is a very large commitment of public funds to a single private contractor, raising questions about competitive bidding and pricing.
• •The contract type is unknown, which limits public transparency about how costs are controlled and what happens if the project goes over budget.
• •Long-term contracts can reduce the government's flexibility to switch contractors or adjust the scope if needs change or performance falls short.