Why It Matters

Astranis is fighting to secure federal funding for satellite communications amid genuine national security concerns. The U.S. faces a critical vulnerability: GPS signals are increasingly susceptible to jamming and spoofing by adversaries, with over 1,500 flights per day experiencing GPS spoofing by mid-2024, and the nation currently has no comprehensive backup system.

Congress has responded with historic funding—the Space Force received a $39.9 billion budget for FY2026, including $1.8 billion for jam-resistant military satellite communications—and Astranis already won a $240 million contract slot in the Space Force’s Protected Tactical SATCOM-Global program. Astranis’s strategy—hiring a team led by someone who just left the Senate Appropriations Committee—signals it’s going for direct insider access to shape how Congress allocates these resources.

By the Numbers

Astranis Space Technologies Corp. is a seasoned federal lobbying player, having filed 119 lobbying disclosures since 2018 and spent over $4.2 million to date on federal influence efforts. This last quarter engagement with Holland & Knight LLP—a $60,000 contract focused on defense appropriations—represents a strategic addition to an already robust multi-firm lobbying infrastructure.

The Holland & Knight hire signals a strategic shift toward appropriations expertise. Most significantly, Michael R. Wakefield served as Senior Counsel for the Senate Appropriations Committee in 2024 and previously as Military Legislative Assistant to Senator Susan Collins—providing direct, recent insider knowledge of the committee Astranis seeks to influence. Ralph Paul Stimers brings 25 prior disclosures representing Astranis dating back to 2018, indicating continuity of a successful relationship.

The Agenda

Astranis is lobbying Congress on satellite communications issues related to the Department of Defense Appropriations Act, 2026, targeting both the House (H.R. 4016) and Senate (S. 2572) versions.

The engagement reflects Congress’s growing urgency around space resilience. Recent legislative proposals like the Resilient LEO PNT Act (H.R. 4344) and the GPS Resiliency Report Act (S. 2277) signal bipartisan interest in funding commercial satellite solutions. Senator John Hoeven (R-ND), a senior member of the Senate Appropriations Defense Subcommittee, has publicly emphasized the need for "advanced satellites for secure communications."

Broader Context

Congress is grappling with critical GPS vulnerabilities that create opportunities for alternative satellite communications providers. The Space Force is actively building an ecosystem of commercial LEO satellite companies providing GPS alternatives, with the global market for assured positioning, navigation, and timing services predicted to grow 25% annually through 2032.

However, experts warn this funding surge relies heavily on reconciliation bills that may create budget cliffs if not sustained beyond 2026, making FY2026 a critical window for securing appropriations.

Between The Lines

A key appropriator is already on board. Senator John Hoeven (R-ND), a senior member of the Senate Appropriations Defense Subcommittee, recently emphasized the need for "resilient space defense." This alignment between appropriator priorities and Astranis’s offerings creates a highly receptive legislative environment.

The timing is critical. Congress approved a historic $39.9 billion Space Force budget for FY2026, including $1.8 billion specifically for jam-resistant military satellite communications. The Protected Tactical SATCOM-Global initiative received approximately $240 million—the exact program where Astranis won a contract slot in July 2025.

Competitive Landscape

The commercial space sector is intensely competitive for defense dollars. Blue Origin LLC and Maxar Technologies Holdings Inc. actively lobby on defense appropriations. Emerging firms like Hermeus Corp. and IonQ Inc. compete for the same Department of Defense funding pool.

The Bottom Line

Astranis is doubling down on federal appropriations strategy by retaining Holland & Knight LLP for a $60,000 fourth quarter engagement targeting the Department of Defense Appropriations Act, 2026. Holland & Knight’s team combines deep space industry expertise with exceptionally relevant recent congressional experience—notably Michael R. Wakefield‘s 2024 role as senior counsel on the Senate Appropriations Committee.

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