Enhanced Polar System (EPS)

The Enhanced Polar System (EPS) is a United States military satellite communications capability intended to replace the Interim Polar System (IPS) and to operate as an adjunct to the Advanced EHF (AEHF) system. EPS is designed to provide continuous coverage of the northern polar region above approximately 65°N latitude, a region not visible from geostationary orbit.

EPS employs two EHF communications payloads hosted on satellites operating in highly elliptical orbits, enabling long dwell times over the polar region and continuous service. The system supports secure, jam-resistant strategic and tactical communications for polar users.

Each EPS payload accommodates 20 communication channels operating in a standard XDR 64 kbps mode, providing an aggregate capacity of approximately 1.28 Mbps. The antenna subsystem provides one gateway spot beam, one user spot beam, and one user Earth-coverage beam to support both user access and network connectivity.

As of November 2023, EPS had not yet been deployed and was undergoing testing to resolve integration issues prior to formal operational testing and deployment.