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.
In its fiscal year 2020 budget request, the Department of Defense requested $72,000,000 to stand up the Space Force, $83,000,000 to establish U.S. Space Command, and $149,000,000 for the Space Development Agency.
The Trump administration’s fiscal year 2020 Pentagon budget request seeks funding for a Space Force, U.S. Space Command, and a Space Development Agency.
A new military service, a combatant command, and a Space Development Agency collectively would increase the Department of Defense’s costs by up to $1,900,000,000 annually, according to CBO.
The Space Development Agency's first project will be to design a large constellation of commercially produced satellites in low Earth orbit to serve as a communications layer and perform military space missions ranging from missile tracking to navigation.
Blackjack will remain a joint DARPA and U.S. Air Force program while the Space Development Agency develops a larger proliferated LEO architecture for operational use.
The Pentagon’s budget request for 2020 includes $149,000,000 for the Space Development Agency.
Fred Kennedy, Director of the Space Development Agency, plans for the agency to tap commercial space industry capabilities to produce and launch low-cost satellites into low Earth orbit.
Fred Kennedy plans for the Space Development Agency to cooperate closely with the Services, Combatant Commands, and the intelligence community and to subject its concepts and architectures to peer review and red teaming.
The Pentagon revealed on 2019-03-13 that the Space Development Agency had been officially created.
The Air Force Association argues that establishing the Space Development Agency is unnecessary and redundant given the reforms of the Space and Missile Systems Center 2.0 effort.
The Department of Defense budget request for the Space Development Agency included $20,000,000 to develop the LEO sensor network.
The Department of Defense budget request for the Space Development Agency included $30,000,000 for LEO missile warning ground integration.
Patrick Shanahan included the Space Development Agency in an August 2018 proposal that laid out three pillars for managing the Pentagon’s space enterprise: U.S. Space Command, U.S. Space Force, and the Space Development Agency.
The Department of Defense requested $44,800,000 to staff the Space Development Agency with an estimated 225 people split 50/50 between government and military personnel and support contractors.
The Space Development Agency’s proposed transport layer would be used to develop Department of Defense capabilities including positioning, navigation and timing; low-latency targeting; and detection and tracking of ballistic and advanced missile threats.
The Department of Defense budget request for the Space Development Agency included $85,000,000 for space technology development and prototyping.
Patrick Shanahan became acting Secretary of Defense in 2019-01-01 and signed a 2019-03-12 memo that officially created the Space Development Agency under the Office of the Undersecretary of Defense for Research and Engineering.
Mike Griffin began planning the Space Development Agency in March 2018.
The Department of Defense budget request for the Space Development Agency included $15,000,000 for a space-based interceptors study.
Fred Kennedy, director of DARPA’s Tactical Technology Office and mastermind of DARPA’s Blackjack program, was selected to lead the Space Development Agency.