Space Force wraps up preliminary design review for Epoch 2 MEO missile-warning sats
BAE Systems has been given the green light to finalize the design of the Space Force’s next-generation of missile warning and tracking satellites planned for medium-Earth orbit, the service announced this week.
The Space Force has completed preliminary design review for Epoch 2 of the Resilient Missile Warning and Missile Tracking – MEO program, completing the constellation’s technical foundation and ground command-and-control systems. The milestone paves the way for prime contractor BAE Systems to move towards finalizing the design of the sats, which are expected to launch before the end of the decade.
Space Systems Command awarded BAE a $1.2 billion contract last year to design and build 10 platforms for the effort. The program seeks to develop a constellation of satellites carrying sensors and payloads that can track advanced missile threats from medium-Earth orbit.
“In today’s world, speed and innovation are essential to our national defense,” Lt. Col. Brandon Castillo, Epoch 2 system program manager, said in a statement. “Our team is delivering to outpace the threat. This expanded constellation will provide the global coverage needed to protect our Nation, service members, Allies, and partners from the most advanced missiles.”
Like other ongoing constellation programs, Space Force is developing the MEO MW/MT satellites in tranches called “epochs” that will be delivered every two to three years. Boeing-subsidiary Millennium Space Systems is currently contracted to build 12 vehicles for Epoch 1 of the program.
As each iteration is designed to have improved capabilities over previous increments, Epoch 2 satellites are expected to carry advanced sensors, optical crosslinks, data fusion, mission management and ground communication capabilities. BAE Systems is also responsible for developing the ground systems for the initiative.
The milestone comes less than nine months after the company received the Epoch 2 contract from SSC, which was previously delayed due to budget uncertainties following a continuing resolution passed in 2024.
“We have achieved a successful Preliminary Design Review with Space Force’s Space Systems Command, based on our collective use of digital modelling and simulation that validates the implementation of our plan,” Thai Sheridan, vice president and general manager of military space for BAE Systems, said in a statement. “BAE Systems is leading this integrated program from a mission planning level, payload and bus delivery, to launch, ground and operations support.”
The MEO MW/MT constellation is expected to be a critical piece in the Golden Dome architecture, envisioned as a sprawling, all-domain network of sensors and interceptors designed for homeland missile defense. The Space Force has previously stated that the program will be interoperable with other missile warning and tracking satellites stationed in low-Earth orbit as part of the Space Development Agency’s Proliferated Warfighter Space Architecture (PWSA).
