WASHINGTON — SES Space & Defense and Planet Labs are preparing to demonstrate high-capacity data relay between satellites in low and medium Earth orbit, using a prototype communications payload launched Oct. 20 aboard the SpaceX Bandwagon-5 rideshare.

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Sandra Erwin writes about military space programs, policy, technology and the industry that supports this sector. She has covered the military, the Pentagon, Congress and the defense industry for nearly two decades as editor of NDIA’s National Defense...