NASA's Near Space Network includes commercial and government-owned, contractor-operated space communications infrastructure. The Near Space Network provides space communications and tracking services to missions operating within two million kilometers of Earth.

NASA has awarded contracts to KSAT Inc. and SpaceLink as part the space agency’s campaign to begin investigating commercial sources for future space communications services.

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Debra Werner is a correspondent for SpaceNews based in San Francisco. Debra earned a bachelor’s degree in communications from the University of California, Berkeley, and a master’s degree in Journalism from Northwestern University. She is a recipient...