U.S. Space Force, Falcon ExoDynamics, and The Aerospace Corporation’s Handle to Leverage Modular Open System Architecture for Future National Security Space Needs Published Dec. 29, 2025 By SSC Public Affairs EL SEGUNDO, Calif. — United States Space Force (USSF) Space Systems Command’s (SSC) Space Safari Office has awarded a contract to upgrade its Handle systems to serve as a commercial source. Handle 2.0 will provide modular open system interface electronics for the Tactically Responsive Space (TacRS) VICTUS SALO2 mission. Falcon ExoDynamics, a company specializing in providing mission systems and integrated software and hardware solutions, was awarded a $3.3 million contract to develop Handle 2.0 through a partnership with SSC and the Aerospace Corporation. “Interfaces are how we in the Space Force can harness the growing commercial space market. The Space Safari team’s work on Handle is crucial to enable the implementation of smart systems engineering practices that allow for faster, easier integration of complex subsystems,” said USSF Col. Bryon McClain, Program Executive Officer for Space Combat Power (SCP). The original Handle was developed by The Aerospace Corporation to adopt a platform-centric architecture to allow spacecraft and payload changes with minimum impact to the payload suites and ground system. Handle 2.0 continues to move from the original Aerospace-provided Handle design toward a commercially sourced Modular Open System Architecture (MOSA). “Since sharing the guidelines, we have seen high interest from industry, including 20 teaming requests to help developers build and integrate Handle,” said Deborah Salvaggio, Aerospace’s Handle Program Manager. “Handle is one example of how innovative concepts transferring to commercial partners grow the marketplace and accelerate solutions for national security space.” The Handle modular open system approach consists of a power and data interface, low-power ethernet router, and agnostic payload-to-bus interface. Licenses are offered on a non-exclusive basis to encourage broad adoption, with the aim of establishing an industry-wide standard and supporting a diverse ecosystem of compatible options. Handle 2.0 transitions the build to Falcon ExoDynamics’ manufacturing facility in El Segundo, CA, followed by delivery to the spacecraft bus developers for space vehicle integration and testing. Handle continues to evolve to increase flexibility, improve interoperability, and decrease production costs for future units. “The Falcon ExoDynamics team is committed to the importance of moving swiftly, with purpose, and enabling others to do the same to stay ahead in this continually evolving dynamic and contested space era. The Handle system is a cornerstone for this mission as exemplified by Space Combat Power PEO’s commitment and The Aerospace Corporation’s innovative team who conceived the design. We are excited to continue the advancement of the Handle open system, enabling rapid and streamlined integration schedules and new missions across a wide variety of available spacecraft platforms and payloads,” said Mike Klug, President and CEO at Falcon ExoDynamics. Media representatives can submit questions for response regarding this topic by sending an e-mail to sscpa.media@spaceforce.mil