NASA completed tests of technologies designed to enable interoperability between satellite relay networks in orbit.

Polylingual Experimental Terminal (PExT) was launched last July and was used to send data to Earth via a tracking and relay satellite system and commercial networks operated by Viasat and SES. Where satellite communications are traditionally limited to single networks, the project employed Ka-band spectrum to enable data transfers across multiple systems.

NASA confirmed that further tests are set to be carried out, with the PExT project extended through to April 2027. In addition, Google spinout Aalyria Technologies has been brought in to showcase potential enterprise service operations via its Spacetime software.

Amid growing commercial interest in in-orbit connectivity, NASA is looking to showcase the potential for a more interoperable space networking ecosystem, one where government and commercial satellites can operate together seamlessly.

PExT, which was set into orbit aboard a platform manufactured by York Space Systems, is a wideband terminal developed alongside the Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Laboratory. Where NASA has long relied on tracking and data relay satellites (TDRS) to provide communications services for near Earth missions, PExT works similarly to how cellphones roam, in that orbiting spacecraft housing radios and wideband terminals can hop between satellite relay networks.

NASA argues the concept allows for more reliable communications with fewer data interruptions. Further tests will see PExT support more than 50 direct links to Earth via SSC Space (formerly Swedish Space Corporation) partner ground stations in Weilheim, Germany

“These demonstrations show how missions can flexibly route data, either through relay satellites or directly to ground stations, to improve resilience, coverage, and operational efficiency,” the space agency said in a statement.

The PExT project adds to prior work between the U.S. Defense Innovation Unit and Aalyria under the Hybrid Space Architecture program, which has been looking into interoperability in orbit.

Satellite connectivity is quickly becoming the next big thing in connectivity, with the likes of Amazon, Viasat, and AST SpaceMobile among those gearing up to challenge SpaceX’s Starlink.

Meanwhile, carrier giants AT&T, T-Mobile US, and Verizon are eyeing a satellite-focused joint venture that would see them pool their spectrum resources. Initially light on details, the carrier CEOs provided a tad more insight in late May, with AT&T CEO John Stankey saying: “If we did something together, we can get a service out there that makes more sense, that's available in more places, that works better. It'll be better when it's paired with mid-band spectrum.”