Altera Tapped to Build the Backbone for a New 'Internet of Space'

SAN JOSE, CA – May 26, 2026 – FPGA specialist Altera has announced a pivotal collaboration with the Pentagon’s Defense Innovation Unit (DIU) to develop core technology for a next-generation satellite communications network. The partnership, part of the DIU’s Resilient Adaptive Zero-latency Optical Relay for Broadband All-domain Communications (RAZORBAC) program, tasks Altera with creating a highly reconfigurable optical modem prototype, a critical step toward realizing an interconnected “internet of satellites.”

This effort aims to create a resilient, high-bandwidth communications fabric in orbit, capable of securely connecting military and commercial satellites across different constellations and orbital layers. By leveraging programmable hardware, the initiative seeks to overcome long-standing interoperability barriers, paving the way for a new era of secure, high-speed data transport in space that can serve both defense and commercial needs.

Weaving a Web Above the World

The ultimate vision of the RAZORBAC program is to enable seamless, high-speed communication between diverse satellite systems, much like the internet connects computers on the ground. Today, massive low-Earth orbit (LEO) constellations from commercial giants like SpaceX's Starlink and Amazon's Project Kuiper are deploying thousands of satellites, each using proprietary laser-based Optical Inter-Satellite Links (OISLs) to form powerful mesh networks. While these systems can transfer data at incredible speeds—up to 200 Gbps per link in some cases—they are largely closed ecosystems, unable to communicate with each other or with government assets.

This lack of interoperability creates strategic vulnerabilities and operational inefficiencies. The RAZORBAC initiative, building on the foundation of previous programs like DARPA's Space-Based Adaptive Communications Node (Space-BACN), directly confronts this challenge. Altera will contribute its Agilex® FPGA technologies and advanced packaging expertise to develop a Multi-Chip Package (MCP) prototype that functions as a universal translator for space-based laser communications.

This reconfigurable modem is designed to adapt on the fly to different optical waveforms and communication protocols. Instead of being locked into a single standard, a satellite equipped with this technology could potentially establish a link with a satellite from a different constellation, dynamically adjusting its parameters to match. This capability is the linchpin for creating a truly unified space network, allowing data to be routed across multiple commercial and government constellations for maximum resilience and speed.

The Geopolitical Imperative for Resilient Space Comms

The push for an interoperable space internet is driven by a pressing national security need. As space becomes an increasingly congested and contested domain, the U.S. military requires communication networks that can withstand disruption, whether from technical failures or adversarial actions like jamming. Traditional radio frequency (RF) communications are vulnerable to such interference and interception.

Free Space Optics (FSO), which uses lasers to transmit data, offers a compelling alternative. Laser links provide immense bandwidth and are inherently more secure due to their narrow, focused beams, making them extremely difficult to intercept or jam. The RAZORBAC program, supported by the U.S. Space Force, is part of a broader strategic effort to accelerate the adoption of these laser communication technologies to ensure high-data-rate, low-probability-of-intercept connectivity for multi-domain operations spanning space, air, and ground.

“In today’s rapidly evolving, highly dynamic, and complex communications environment, flexibility is mission critical for operational readiness,” said Gopi Jandhyala, Head of Platform, Architecture and Chip Engineering at Altera, in the company's announcement. “Programmable solutions enable systems to evolve in real time while reducing development risk and accelerating deployment.”

The reconfigurable nature of Altera's modem is central to this resilience. In a conflict scenario, if one communication pathway is compromised, data can be dynamically rerouted through different satellites and constellations. This architectural flexibility, enabled by programmable hardware, is seen as fundamental to maintaining a strategic advantage in future conflicts.

The Power of Programmable Hardware

At the heart of Altera's solution is the Field-Programmable Gate Array (FPGA). Unlike Application-Specific Integrated Circuits (ASICs), which are designed for a single function and cannot be changed after manufacturing, FPGAs can be reprogrammed in the field. This makes them ideal for the evolving landscape of space communications, where standards and mission requirements can change rapidly.

Altera's Agilex® FPGAs are designed for the high-performance, power-constrained environments found in space. They feature high-speed transceivers capable of handling the massive data rates of optical links, alongside robust security features like secure boot, advanced encryption, and anti-tamper protections crucial for defense applications. By using an FPGA-based modem, satellite operators can update their communication systems with a simple software patch, adding support for new waveforms or interoperability standards like those developed by the Space Development Agency (SDA) without requiring a costly and complex hardware redesign.

This ability to adapt is crucial for future-proofing expensive satellite assets. As new commercial constellations emerge and military requirements shift, a programmable modem ensures that satellites launched today can remain relevant and interoperable for their entire operational lifespan. This significantly reduces long-term costs and accelerates the deployment of new capabilities across the government's space architecture.

Bridging Defense and Commercial Frontiers

While the RAZORBAC program is rooted in defense needs, its impact is expected to extend far into the commercial sector. The technology Altera is developing has significant dual-use potential, positioning the company at the intersection of two rapidly growing markets: government space infrastructure and the commercial satellite internet boom. The market for OISLs is projected to expand dramatically as tens of thousands of new satellites are launched in the coming decade.

By developing a solution that can bridge the gap between proprietary commercial systems and government networks, Altera is addressing a key market pain point. A universal, reconfigurable modem could become a standard component for satellite manufacturers looking to offer their customers maximum flexibility and connectivity options. This DIU partnership serves as a powerful validation of Altera's technology, providing a pathway for broader adoption across the commercial satellite, telecommunications, and data center markets.

The successful development of this technology will not only enhance national security but also foster a more competitive and innovative commercial space ecosystem, accelerating the creation of a global communications network that is more resilient, capable, and accessible than ever before.