RTX's Blue Canyon Technologies Delivers Four Satellites for DARPA's Blackjack Program

Blue Canyon Technologies (BCT), a subsidiary of RTX, has delivered four satellites for the DARPA's Blackjack program and advancing low-Earth orbit (LEO) technology for national security.

The Blackjack initiative seeks to replace traditional geosynchronous orbits for U.S. space assets with a resilient low Earth orbit (LEO) network using four interconnected satellites. It addresses the vulnerability of National Security Space (NSS) assets in geosynchronous orbit, leveraging commercial sector advancements for broadband internet service. The program focuses on countering threats in the contested space environment and emphasizes a commoditized bus and low-cost interchangeable payloads.

Key objectives include developing autonomy software, implementing advanced commercial manufacturing, and showcasing LEO payloads augmenting NSS assets. The goal is to achieve LEO performance comparable to geosynchronous systems with combined costs under $6 million per orbital node, adhering to commercial bus constraints.