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.
The 2019-03-12 memo that created the Space Development Agency assigned the Undersecretary of Defense for Research and Engineering to work with the DoD comptroller to reprogram funds during fiscal year 2019.
Patrick Shanahan approved the establishment of the Space Development Agency on 2019-03-12 and placed it in the Office of the Undersecretary of Defense for Research and Engineering under Mike Griffin.
The Space Development Agency seeks to design a large constellation of small satellites in low Earth orbit using commercial products.
The Space Development Agency requested $149,000,000 from Congress for fiscal year 2020 to get started.
A military service, not the Space Development Agency, will operate any proliferated LEO constellation developed by the SDA.
The space internet is intended to serve as the Space Development Agency’s data transport layer as a global mesh network for Department of Defense communications.
The Pentagon requested $149,800,000 for the Space Development Agency in fiscal year 2020.
The Space Development Agency was established in March 2019 to accelerate the acquisition of space systems partly by using commercially developed technology.
The House Armed Services Committee’s strategic force subcommittee included provisions directing the Space Development Agency to design navigation satellite receivers that are compatible with those used by NATO and Japan.
The requested $149,800,000 for the Space Development Agency in fiscal year 2020 would fund 50 personnel, including 30 new civilian positions and 20 military personnel transferring from existing positions.
The bill directs the Space Development Agency to procure commercial space situational awareness services.
The Department of Defense, the Space Development Agency, and DARPA must provide a report by 2020-02-15 detailing progress on a proliferated LEO architecture and how it could enhance resilience and integrate into national security space strategy and architecture.
Acting Defense Secretary Patrick Shanahan advocated establishing a Space Force, a U.S. Space Command, and a Space Development Agency to ensure the United States stays ahead of adversaries advancing their space capabilities.
The Space Development Agency was stood up on 2019-03-12 and is led by former DARPA official Fred Kennedy.
The Space Development Agency will focus on developing and delivering next-generation space-based communications and earth observation capabilities.
The Department of Defense requested $149,000,000 in fiscal year 2020 to create a new Space Development Agency within the Office of the Undersecretary of Defense for Research and Engineering.
The Congressional Budget Office analyzed future costs for the Space Force, U.S. Space Command, and the Space Development Agency and projected costs for the Space Force significantly higher than $2,000,000,000 over five years.
The House Appropriations Committee included a legislative provision requiring the Space Development Agency and the Air Force to lay out a plan to develop a unified and integrated space architecture.
The legislation restricts funds for the Space Development Agency and provides $15,000,000 to further study the establishment of a Space Force.
The 2019-05-08 Congressional Budget Office report estimated that standing up an independent Space Force under the Air Force, a U.S. Space Command and a Space Development Agency would increase Department of Defense annual costs by $1,100,000,000 to $1,900,000,000 and incur one-time costs of $1,800,000,000 to $4,700,000,000.