SDA awards $6M grant to General Atomics

The Space Development Agency has awarded a $6 million grant to General Atomics in the Grand Sky UAS park.

The grant was announced today (Fri) by SDA Director Dr. Derek Tournear during his visit to the park west of Grand Forks.

Senator John Hoeven was also there and explained that SDA and General Atomics are partnering to launch a communications system.

“They’re going to help develop laser communication between satellites and UAS, like the MQ9 reaper,” Hoeven said.

Hoeven said the project will enable transmissions between satellites and unmanned aircraft to use less power … and be more secure against detection and interference.

Hoeven said General Atomics and SDA will conduct some experiments starting later this summer.

Grand Sky is a business park located on 217 acres on the Grand Forks Air Force Base.

(Photo: Sen. Hoeven’s office)