York Space Systems successfully launched its BARD mission on July 23 from Vandenberg Space Force Base, marking a key milestone in advancing real-time interoperability between government and commercial satellite relay networks. The mission, developed in collaboration with NASA’s Space Communications and Navigation (SCaN) program and the Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Laboratory, aims to flight-test the Polylingual Experimental Terminal (PExT), an advanced communications payload designed to support NASA’s move toward a commercial communications architecture.
The BARD mission represents York’s second major deployment of 2025 and follows last month’s successful launch of the Dragoon mission. York is executing five distinct missions this year, leveraging its vertically integrated capabilities—from spacecraft design and manufacturing to launch and operations—to accelerate the deployment of secure, affordable space systems for defense and commercial clients.
York continues to scale its operations, with hundreds of satellites in production and a growing constellation in orbit. The company’s high-rate manufacturing model and integrated approach are enabling faster fielding of space-based capabilities in support of U.S. national security and civil missions.
- BARD mission launched July 23 from Vandenberg Space Force Base
- Demonstrates Polylingual Experimental Terminal (PExT) for NASA interoperability
- Developed with NASA SCaN and Johns Hopkins APL
- Second of five York missions scheduled in 2025
- York also launched Dragoon mission in June 2025
- York operates a growing fleet of space assets with end-to-end integration
“The success of BARD reinforces York’s commitment to delivering impactful missions with speed, resilience, and performance,” said Melanie Preisser, GM and Executive VP of York.
🌐 Why it Matters: As the U.S. increasingly shifts toward commercial satellite communications, York’s BARD mission provides a critical testbed for real-time government-commercial network integration. Demonstrations like PExT will shape future architectures for resilient, hybrid communications in space—essential for defense and NASA missions alike.
York Space Systems, headquartered in Denver, Colorado, is a rapidly growing aerospace company focused on the design, manufacture, and operation of small satellites for government and commercial customers. Founded in 2012 by Dirk Wallinger, a former aerospace engineer with experience at Lockheed Martin, York aims to reduce the cost and complexity of space missions through standardized satellite platforms and vertically integrated manufacturing. Its flagship product is the S-CLASS satellite bus, a versatile and modular spacecraft platform designed for rapid production and deployment.
York operates a 140,000-square-foot spacecraft production facility in Denver, which includes a Mission Operations Center and the company’s satellite integration line. The company has delivered spacecraft for U.S. Department of Defense missions, NASA science programs, and commercial remote sensing customers. It also plays a key role in supporting the U.S. Space Development Agency (SDA), including participation in the Proliferated Warfighter Space Architecture (PWSA), a multi-layered satellite constellation focused on defense and resiliency in space.
York is privately held, with backing from AE Industrial Partners, a private equity firm specializing in aerospace, defense, and industrial markets. The company has secured major contracts with the U.S. government and continues to expand its manufacturing capacity and satellite constellation operations. In 2023, it announced plans to build and operate over 100 satellites per year.
