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 Department of Defense is requesting $149,000,000 in fiscal year 2020 to get the Space Development Agency started.
The memo from Fred Kennedy states that the Space Development Agency will operate with far less bureaucracy than a typical DoD agency and will buy technology from commercial vendors to reduce infrastructure and manpower requirements and speed deployment of new systems.
A 2019-03-18 letter addressed to Patrick Shanahan urged co-locating the Space Development Agency headquarters in New Mexico and using New Mexico entities to implement directed space R&D policies.
The Space Development Agency was officially created when Acting Defense Secretary Patrick Shanahan signed a memo that establishes the agency.
Acting Defense Secretary Patrick Shanahan established the Space Development Agency as a separate organization within the Department of Defense in a 2019-03-12 memo.
The Space Development Agency is not intended to displace the Air Force Space and Missile Systems Center, which will continue to produce and oversee the legacy space architecture.
The Department of Defense requested $149,800,000 for the Space Development Agency in its budget for fiscal year 2020.
The 2019-03-12 memo from Patrick Shanahan describes the Space Development Agency’s first project as a national security space architecture that provides persistent, resilient, global, low-latency surveillance.
The Space Development Agency director will have authority to hire civilian employees using special hiring authorities, including limited-term appointments of highly qualified experts.
The Space Development Agency plans a proliferated LEO sensor and communications transport layer using commercially produced satellites and payloads as a foundation for military constellations.
Mike Griffin characterized the Space Development Agency as a new capability with new functions intended to provide capacities the Department of Defense cannot perform now.
The budget requests $149,800,000 to establish a Space Development Agency.
In addition to the Air Force’s $13.8 billion, the fiscal year 2020 defense budget request includes $306,000,000 to establish three new organizations: a U.S. Space Force, a Space Development Agency, and U.S. Space Command.
The budget includes $306,000,000 to establish three new organizations: a U.S. Space Force, a Space Development Agency, and U.S. Space Command.
The fiscal year 2020 budget proposes $83,800,000 to stand up U.S. Space Command and $149,800,000 to establish a Space Development Agency.
The Space Development Agency will be dedicated to rapidly developing, acquiring, and fielding next-generation space technologies.
The fiscal year 2020 budget requests funds to create a Space Development Agency intended to leverage the domestic commercial space sector.
The Department of Defense planned to request $149,000,000 for the Space Development Agency in fiscal year 2020.
Acting Defense Secretary Patrick Shanahan backed Mike Griffin’s proposal for a Pentagon-led Space Development Agency intended to operate with fewer procurement constraints.
Fred Kennedy has been selected to serve as the director of the Defense Department’s new Space Development Agency.