The Australian government is closer to signing the biggest space contract in history
What is known
Lockheed Martin has been selected as"preferred bidder" for a multi-billion dollar Australian military project to build military communications satellites and supporting infrastructure. The original Australia planned to select two firms. The American company may sign an agreement for AU$4 billion ($2.7 billion).
The announcement by the Australian Department of Defense does not mean that Lockheed Martin will immediately receive a multi-billion dollar contract. The company will have to go through another stage of negotiations with the government of the country.
Australia is interested in buying at least twogeostationary communications satellites and wants a "sovereign military satellite capability". Currently, the defense forces rely on commercial companies.
In addition to spacecraft, the satellite systemcommunications will include a control system and two operations centers. The satellite is expected to provide coverage from the central Indian Ocean to the Solomon Islands from 2027.