Parsons Awarded $30M Contract to Enhance Support to DARPA Blackjack Space Mission
Rhea-AI Summary
Parsons (NYSE: PSN) was awarded a $30 million contract and a novation to the U.S. Space Development Agency (SDA) on Dec. 22, 2025 to expand a prior $11 million DARPA Blackjack award from 2021. Parsons will consolidate OEM spacecraft support and deliver Blackjack mission operations from its Parsons Space Operations Center using the OrbitXChange platform and the Ground Operations Center as-a-Service solution. The scope includes mission planning, advanced experimentation, operational planning services, and connectivity to commercial ground station providers to enable global coverage and enhanced satellite operations.
Positive
- $30 million contract award to expand Blackjack work
- Novation transfers existing DARPA Blackjack work into SDA
- Consolidation at Parsons Space Operations Center using OrbitXChange
- Includes integrated mission planning, experimentation, and global ground-station connectivity
Negative
- None.
News Market Reaction 7 Alerts
On the day this news was published, PSN gained 1.29%, reflecting a mild positive market reaction. Argus tracked a peak move of +3.8% during that session. Our momentum scanner triggered 7 alerts that day, indicating moderate trading interest and price volatility. This price movement added approximately $84M to the company's valuation, bringing the market cap to $6.62B at that time.
Data tracked by StockTitan Argus on the day of publication.
Key Figures
Market Reality Check
Peers on Argus
No peers in the momentum scanner and no same-day peer headlines; current move appears company-specific.
Historical Context
| Date | Event | Sentiment | Move | Catalyst |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dec 18 | Air Force MATOC award | Positive | +0.6% | Secured position on $15B Air Force construction and engineering MATOC. |
| Dec 17 | Cyber contract mod | Positive | -2.4% | Contract modification for Joint Cyber Hunt Kit prototype continuation. |
| Dec 10 | ABAD task order | Positive | +2.9% | Awarded $88M task order for Europe/Africa Air Base Air Defense. |
| Dec 08 | Space award recognition | Positive | -5.2% | TraCSS civil space achievement recognition with SpaceNews Icon Award. |
| Dec 05 | Highway design-build role | Positive | -5.2% | Selected lead designer for $441M I-70 Rocheport–Columbia project. |
Recent positive contract and award announcements often saw mixed reactions, with more divergences (negative moves) than aligned positive moves.
Over the past month, Parsons reported several sizable defense and infrastructure awards, including a $15 billion Air Force MATOC position, an $88 million ABAD task order raising 2025 contract value to $192 million, and a $441 million I-70 design-build project. It also highlighted recognition for its TraCSS civil space work. Price reactions to these positive developments were inconsistent, with both gains and declines, suggesting that contract wins alone have not guaranteed positive short-term trading responses.
Market Pulse Summary
This announcement adds a $30 million contract to Parsons’ space portfolio, expanding a prior $11 million Blackjack award and shifting work toward the U.S. Space Development Agency. It reinforces the company’s role in space mission operations and ground-control services. In context of recent large defense and infrastructure awards, investors may track how these wins translate into revenue, margin performance, and backlog execution over coming quarters.
Key Terms
original equipment manufacturer (oem) technical
AI-generated analysis. Not financial advice.
CHANTILLY, Va., Dec. 22, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Parsons Corporation (NYSE: PSN) has been awarded a
“Parsons is a leader in space domain innovation. With this contract, we will build on our established partnerships as we shift from DARPA to SDA, broadening our contributions to the Blackjack program,” said Ed Baron, senior vice president of Parsons’ Space Engineering Solutions. “This expansion allows us to leverage our expertise in spacecraft control to enhance mission planning and execution through our as-a-service ground control system. We look forward to supporting SDA’s objectives as we continue to advance space operations.”
With this additional funding, Parsons will consolidate Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) spacecraft support and deliver comprehensive Blackjack mission operations through our common ground element at the Parsons Space Operations Center. This will utilize the OrbitXChange™ platform and the Ground Operations Center as-a-Service commercial solution. The company will also offer an integrated suite of mission support capabilities, including advanced experimentation and extensive operational planning services. These efforts will ensure seamless connectivity between the Ground Operations Center and commercial ground station providers, enabling robust global coverage and enhancing the effectiveness of satellite operations.
To learn more about Parsons' national security capabilities, please visit: parsons.com/national-security/.
About Parsons:
Parsons (NYSE: PSN) is a leading disruptive technology provider in the national security and global infrastructure markets, with capabilities across cyber and electronic warfare, space and missile defense, transportation, water and environment, urban development, and critical infrastructure protection. Please visit Parsons.com and follow us on LinkedIn to learn how we’re making an impact.
Media Contact:
Angie Benfield
+1 803.334.5277
Angie.Benfield@parsons.com
Investor Relations Contact:
Dave Spille
+ 1 703.775.6191
Dave.Spille@Parsons.us
FAQ
What did Parsons (PSN) announce on December 22, 2025 regarding the Blackjack program?
How does the $30M Parsons (PSN) award relate to the 2021 DARPA contract?
What capabilities will Parsons (PSN) provide under the Blackjack contract expansion?
Will Parsons (PSN) use a commercial platform for Blackjack operations?
Who are the media and investor contacts for Parsons (PSN) related to the award?
