![T1TL mesh constellation_Northrop Grumman.](https://sites.breakingmedia.com/uploads/sites/3/2022/06/T1TL-mesh-constellation_Northrop-Grumman.-e1656606067251-1024x576.jpg)
“Translator” payloads are necessary because many of today’s commercial remote sensing providers do not, and will not, have the ability to equip their satellites with optical inter-satellite links (OISLs) required to link to the agency’s Transport Layer birds, said SDA Director Derek Tournear.