Parsons Corporation has secured a $30 million contract to broaden its support for the DARPA Blackjack space‑flight demonstration, an award that builds on an $11 million contract issued in 2021. The new agreement transfers oversight of the program from DARPA to the U.S. Space Development Agency, signaling the transition of Blackjack from a research‑and‑development effort to an operational acquisition phase.
Under the expanded contract, Parsons will provide spacecraft control, mission planning, and execution services through its OrbitXChange™ platform and Ground Operations Center as‑a‑Service (GOCaaS) solution. The platform delivers real‑time command and telemetry, automated flight‑operations workflows, and cloud‑based data analytics, enabling the Blackjack program to achieve global coverage and operational flexibility with a constellation of low‑Earth‑orbit satellites.
The award is expected to generate a substantial recurring revenue stream for Parsons’ Critical Infrastructure and Federal Solutions segments. In the most recent quarter, these segments posted a combined revenue of $1.2 billion, with the Federal Solutions unit contributing $650 million and the Critical Infrastructure unit $550 million. The new contract adds $30 million to that mix, representing a 2.5 % lift in segment revenue and reinforcing the company’s momentum in high‑growth government services.
Ed Baron, senior vice president of Parsons’ Space Engineering Solutions, said the expansion “builds on our established partnership as we shift from DARPA to SDA, broadening our contributions to the Blackjack program.” He added that the contract “allows us to leverage our expertise in spacecraft control to enhance mission planning and execution through our as‑a‑service ground control system, supporting SDA’s objectives as we continue to advance space operations.”
The contract underscores Parsons’ strategic positioning in the rapidly expanding satellite‑constellation market. By providing scalable, cloud‑based operations services, Parsons is poised to capture a growing share of the high‑throughput satellite ecosystem, while the recurring nature of the service contracts aligns with the company’s focus on long‑term, stable revenue streams. The shift to SDA also reflects the maturation of the Blackjack program, moving from a DARPA‑led research phase to a more operational, acquisition‑focused phase that is likely to generate additional contracts and opportunities for Parsons in the future.
The content on BeyondSPX is for informational purposes only and should not be construed as financial or investment advice. We are not financial advisors. Consult with a qualified professional before making any investment decisions. Any actions you take based on information from this site are solely at your own risk.