{"id":16446,"date":"2020-05-12T11:02:00","date_gmt":"2020-05-12T11:02:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/defensenews\/uncategorized\/2020\/05\/12\/darpa-set-to-launch-first-blackjack-satellite-later-this-year\/"},"modified":"2026-08-08T17:47:41","modified_gmt":"2026-08-08T17:47:41","slug":"darpa-set-to-launch-first-blackjack-satellite-later-this-year","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/defensenews\/space\/2020\/05\/12\/darpa-set-to-launch-first-blackjack-satellite-later-this-year\/","title":{"rendered":"DARPA set to launch first Blackjack satellite later this year"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

The Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency will launch its first Blackjack satellite into orbit later this year, with more to follow in 2021.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

With Blackjack, DARPA seeks to demonstrate the value of low earth orbit satellites for the Department of Defense. The small satellites will carry advanced technologies that will demonstrate space-based mesh networks and constellation autonomy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cBlackjack seeks to develop and validate critical elements of global high-speed autonomous networks in LEO, proving a capability that could provide the Department of Defense with highly connected, resilient, and persistent overhead coverage,\u201d the agency said in a May 11 statement.<\/p>\n\n\n\t