In 2023, we will see more Low Earth Orbit (LEO) satellite implementations as these constellations come online and begin delivering bandwidth for low-latency applications.

We’ll get a better sense of how the new LEO constellations can be integrated with existing military networks, such as the Protected Tactical Enterprise Service running on the DoD’s WGS constellation. We will also see more announcements of plans to launch 5G-ready constellations that can connect with 5G cellphones on the ground.

The next challenge will be that similar results can be achieved if the military were to integrate commercial GEO satellites into its networks and possibly run DoD-specific waveforms similar to this on MEO and LEO satellites.

In 2023, we could also take further steps toward having 5G connections in space. This would require a constellation of interconnected satellites built with 5G capability, essentially cellphone towers in the sky.

When 5G is finally available, it could finally help solve the DoD’s problem of having so many ground terminals incompatible with one another. A ruggedized 5G cellphone would be a simple solution to solving the problem and could be an adjunct to the current 3G-based MUOS system.

We will also start seeing more stand-alone ground networks using 5G technology—such as the stand-alone, 5G network Hughes has deployed at Whidbey Island Naval Air Station in Washington state to support flightline operations, aircraft maintenance and flight traffic management.

Many companies are looking for the satellite industry’s Holy Grail: a single antenna that can connect simultaneously with multiple satellites in different orbital planes. While the antenna problem may not be solved in 2023, steps have been taken by the DoD to develop a contracting method that makes it easy for the DoD to use LEO satellite capacity.

The best solution will be a managed service model that defines the amount of data, location of use, duration of use and quality of service necessary for the application. With this approach, the DoD can save the cost and complexity of setting up their own systems (as they do with GEO) while accessing the reach, resiliency, low latency, and security of LEO systems.

For the DoD to fully embrace the capabilities of the LEO constellations, the commercial operators will need enough experience and enough satellites to confidently promise the high quality of service expected by the military Delivering “best efforts” service is not good enough. LEO satellite technology is evolving quickly and can be combined with ground and other satellite resources into hybrid networks with capabilities never before available.

The challenge will be delivering the capacity and network management techniques in a way that fits smoothly into the DoD existing networks and existing procurement procedures.

Author Rick Lober is the vice president and general manager of the Defense & Intelligence Systems Division at Hughes.