U.S. Sen. John Hoeven (R-ND) recently provided an update regarding the establishment of the Space Networking Center at Grand Forks Air Force Base.
Hoeven is espousing the benefits of the Space Development Agency (SDA) awarding an operations and integration (O&I) contract totaling nearly $325 million to General Dynamics Missions Systems for the project.
“Funding from SDA ensures the continued support of space operations coming to Grand Forks,” Hoeven, a member of the Senate Defense Appropriations Committee, said. “We’ve worked to establish Grand Forks Air Force Base as the ideal location to host the Space Development Agency’s first space networking center and appreciate the opportunity to discuss this with U.S. Space Force Chief John Raymond last week.”
The Space Networking Center would support the SDA’s new low-Earth orbit (LEO) mission while serving as the foundation for all domestic military communications globally.
Last year, Hoeven announced the Air Force approved stand-up SDA’s new LEO satellite mission at Grand Forks, following his collaboration with the SDA, including SDA Director Derek Tournear and U.S. Sen. Kevin Cramer (R-ND).
Hoeven worked to secure $18 million in Fiscal Year 2022 funding to establish SDA’s space networking centers. Over time, the mission could include operating SDA satellites and linking them with unmanned aerial systems (UAS) to complement the base’s role in Air Force intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) missions.