The U.S. Space Development Agency (SDA) is a U.S. Space Force direct-reporting unit focused on the rapid deployment of space-based capabilities to the joint warfighter. It aims to achieve this through the development, fielding, and operation of the Proliferated Warfighter Space Architecture, a threat-driven constellation of small satellites in low Earth orbit. SDA's key focus areas include military data and communications connectivity, missile tracking, and development of a resilient space architecture, working with partners like Lockheed Martin, SpaceX, and York Space Systems. Their work supports terrestrial missions and enhances warfighter lethality, maneuverability, and survivability.
All verified mentions of this organization in source documents.
A 2019-03-12 memo signed by acting Defense Secretary Patrick Shanahan placed the Space Development Agency under Mike Griffin’s organization with a long-term goal to move it under the Space Force.
The Space Development Agency seeks to move toward smaller satellites and proliferated constellations using commercial technologies.
The Space Development Agency will not reimburse contractors for expenses incurred in responding to its 2019-07-01 request for information.
The Space Development Agency plans to start deploying new systems by fiscal year 2022.
The Space Development Agency released a request for information on 2019-07-01 that set an 2019-08-05 deadline for submissions.
The transport layer of the Space Development Agency’s architecture will be a mesh network with data rates at a minimum of 10 megabits per second.
The Space Development Agency plans to create a support cell to manage ground control systems and launch services.
The deterrence layer in the Space Development Agency’s architecture is intended to provide deep space surveillance extending to cislunar space.
The Space Development Agency was denied funding for fiscal year 2019.
The Space Development Agency lost Patrick Shanahan as a staunch advocate when he resigned on 2019-06-18.
The Space Development Agency is seeking $149,000,000 for fiscal year 2020.
In the 2019-03-12 memo that created the Space Development Agency, Acting Secretary of Defense Patrick Shanahan directed that Undersecretary Mike Griffin would work with the Department of Defense comptroller to reprogram funds during fiscal year 2019.
Under Fred Kennedy’s leadership, the Space Development Agency planned a large constellation of small satellites in low Earth orbit using commercial products.
House Armed Services Committee Chairman Adam Smith and Ranking Member Mac Thornberry denied the Pentagon request to allocate $15,000,000 to the Space Development Agency for fiscal year 2019.
Fred Kennedy resigned as director of the Space Development Agency on 2019-06-19.
The requested $15,000,000 for the Space Development Agency was described in the HASC letter as an initial downpayment on a total cost of $558,000,000 that the Department of Defense projected to request for the agency over five years.
The denial of the $15,000,000 for the Space Development Agency was conveyed in a 2019-07-03 letter to Pentagon Comptroller David Norquist.
The Space Development Agency was established in March 2019.
The House directed the Department of Defense and the Space Development Agency to recommend options to procure commercial services to fill space situational awareness requirements not filled in the Joint Space Operations Center Mission Center.
The House directed the Department of Defense and the Space Development Agency to design prototypes of secure GPS receivers capable of receiving position, navigation, and timing signals from allied PNT systems such as Europe’s Galileo, Japan’s QZSS, and India’s NAVIC.