- Sphinx Defense has booked a Space Force OTA agreement for ESS mission planning
- The Phase 3 award follows two earlier prototyping phases
- The 2026 Air and Space Summit this Thursday will explore AI, Golden Dome and more
Sphinx Defense has secured a $287 million other transaction authority agreement from the U.S. Space Force to develop and prototype the mission planning application for the Evolved Strategic SATCOM, or ESS, program.
As the Space Force advances its strategic satellite communications architecture, government and industry leaders will gather at the Potomac Officers Club’s 2026 Air and Space Summit this Thursday to discuss artificial intelligence, commercial space relay, interoperable optical networks, Golden Dome and more. Register now to join the conversation shaping the future of air and space acquisition.
Space Systems Command said Monday the acting Space Force portfolio acquisition executive for satellite communications and positioning, navigation and timing awarded the Phase 3 agreement to Sphinx Defense through the Space Enterprise Consortium.
What Is the Scope of the Phase 3 OTA Agreement?
The Phase 3 OTA agreement directs Sphinx Defense to develop and complete prototyping of the ESS Mission Planning application.
The award builds on designs produced during Phases 1 and 2, which were competitive prototyping efforts intended to develop a best-in-class application for ESS mission planning. The application is intended to prepare the ground segment to manage complex global scenarios and integrate into the broader ESS enterprise.
“System Delta 88 must field this crucial nuclear command, control, and communications satellite mission planning capability with combat quality, combat speed, and combat responsiveness to win the high-end fight in contested environments,” said Col. Ryan Rose, System Delta 88 commander.
What Is Evolved Strategic SATCOM?
According to SSC, ESS is a satellite communications system of the Department of War that will serve as the next generation of strategic nuclear command, control and communications. The system is designed to deliver secure, jam-resistant and survivable communications, enabling the president, the DOW secretary and other national leaders to command and control U.S. forces worldwide.
What Is Sphinx Defense?
Sphinx Defense is a defense technology company focused on developing software designed to address complex national security problems facing the U.S. and its allies by supporting satellite operations and ground data transfers.
The company’s work builds on other recent government contracts. In 2025, Sphinx Defense received a contract from SSC to build a secure cloud-based Joint Antenna Marketplace prototype designed to connect satellite operations centers to government and commercial antennas. In 2024, the company won a spot on a potential $1 billion Space Force contract to develop a next-generation ground system for military satellites as part of the Rapid Resilient Command and Control program.
