Kratos Clears First Acceptance Test for Airbus OneSat, Advancing Software-Defined Satellite Control

San Diego / Europe : Kratos Defense & Security Solutions, Inc. has successfully completed the first Factory Acceptance Test (FAT) of its EPOCH Command and Control (C2) software in collaboration with Airbus Defence and Space, marking a critical milestone in the deployment of Airbus’s OneSat next-generation software-defined satellite platform.

The successful test confirms that EPOCH can fully support OneSat’s dynamic in-orbit reconfiguration capability, enabling satellite operators to rapidly reshape coverage, bandwidth, and mission profiles after launch. This capability represents a fundamental shift away from traditional fixed-payload satellites toward flexible, software-defined space systems.

Enabling Next-Generation Software-Defined Satellites

Unlike conventional satellites with static configurations, the OneSat platform is designed for frequent software updates, greater onboard autonomy, and long-term mission adaptability. While this architecture significantly enhances operational flexibility and commercial responsiveness, it also increases the complexity of ground command and control operations.

To address these challenges, Kratos integrated new advanced capabilities into a recent EPOCH software release, specifically engineered to operate in tandem with OneSat’s highly dynamic architecture. These upgrades allow the ground system to manage real-time mission reconfiguration, autonomous satellite behavior, and rapid operational changes while maintaining high levels of safety, redundancy, and reliability.

Factory Acceptance Test Confirms Operational Readiness

During the Factory Acceptance Test, joint engineering teams from Kratos and Airbus conducted extensive system validation. The test verified that EPOCH’s hardware and software complied with all safety, redundancy, and performance requirements, successfully communicated with a simulated OneSat satellite, and functioned exactly as designed across multiple operational scenarios. Upon completion, the system achieved formal acceptance by Airbus, confirming its readiness for operational deployment.

Maurizio Scotta, President of Kratos Communications, stated that the successful milestone reflects the close collaboration between the two companies. He emphasized that the flexibility of the EPOCH system architecture, combined with the deep expertise of Kratos personnel, enables Airbus to unlock the full operational potential of the OneSat platform, delivering faster reconfiguration, smarter operations, and greater mission agility for customers.

Airbus Signals Confidence Ahead of Launch

Elodie Viau, Senior Vice President of Telecommunication and Navigation at Airbus Defence and Space, said the achievement provides full confidence in the reliability and performance of the EPOCH command and control system that will operate OneSat satellites in orbit. She described the milestone as a key step forward as Airbus prepares for upcoming launches and continues to deliver innovative software-defined satellite solutions to commercial and government operators worldwide.

Strategic Impact on the Global Space Sector

With more than 20 years of experience in satellite command and control systems, Kratos positions EPOCH as a cornerstone technology for managing next-generation space assets. The successful validation with OneSat underscores a broader industry transition toward software-defined satellite constellations, where ground systems must evolve to keep pace with autonomous, reconfigurable, and mission-adaptive spacecraft.

As demand grows for greater flexibility, resilience, and responsiveness in space operations, the successful integration of Kratos EPOCH with Airbus OneSat places both companies at the forefront of the software-defined space revolution, reinforcing the critical role of advanced ground control software in shaping the future of satellite operations.