Kratos has achieved a significant technical milestone in collaboration with Airbus, successfully completing the factory acceptance testing of its EPOCH command-and-control software. This software is crucial for the European firm’s next-generation, software-defined OneSat satellites. The successful completion of testing confirms that Kratos’ EPOCH system is capable of managing the advanced, dynamic in-orbit reconfiguration functionalities that distinguish OneSat from traditional fixed satellites.
OneSat represents a notable evolution in satellite technology, allowing for reprogramming in space—a substantial departure from legacy satellite platforms—and this advancement increases the demands on ground control software. To address these evolving requirements, Kratos has integrated new features into the EPOCH system, enabling it to handle frequent configuration changes, onboard autonomy, and continuous updates effectively.
During the factory acceptance test, engineers from both Kratos and Airbus rigorously verified that EPOCH’s hardware and software could communicate safely and effectively with a simulated OneSat spacecraft, while also meeting necessary redundancy and safety requirements. Following successful validation of all mission scenarios, Airbus formally accepted the system, allowing it to move forward for operational use in anticipation of upcoming satellite launches.
Kratos has emphasized that this milestone is the culmination of years of dedicated effort to adapt ground systems for the needs of software-defined satellites. Elodie Viau, Senior Vice President of Telecommunication and Navigation for Airbus Defence and Space, underscored the significance of this achievement, describing it as “an important step forward as we prepare for launch and continue delivering innovative software-defined satellites to our customers.”
Moreover, the collaboration between Kratos and Airbus has expanded beyond satellite command and control systems. Over the past year, the two companies have strengthened their partnership in areas such as uncrewed aircraft and combat systems. In July 2025, they announced a joint initiative to develop a European variant of the XQ-58A Valkyrie uncrewed collaborative combat aircraft, which will feature an Airbus mission system tailored for the German Air Force. This new effort aims to ensure combat readiness by 2029, merging Kratos’ proven Valkyrie platform with Airbus’ versatile mission architecture for autonomous or semi-autonomous operations alongside manned aircraft.
