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.
Shanahan claimed that the Space Development Agency would drive standards and integration.
Shanahan stated that the Department of Defense has made leveraging commercial technology too complicated, and the Space Development Agency would simplify this process.
One goal of the Space Development Agency is to perform systems engineering to help integrate commercial and military communications networks.
Deputy Defense Secretary Patrick Shanahan expects the new Space Development Agency to be in place in the first quarter of 2019.
Shanahan emphasized that the primary goal of the Space Development Agency is to field capabilities rather than dictate architectures or standards.
Budget analyst Todd Harrison of the Center for Strategic and International Studies did not include the Space Development Agency in his cost estimates for a Space Force due to unclear agency functions.
The Space Development Agency will organize and align space efforts to avoid redundant problem-solving, according to Shanahan.
The Pentagon is moving to establish a U.S. Space Command and a Space Development Agency in early 2019.
The proposed Space Development Agency would move to the Space Force if Congress approves creating a new service.
The Pentagon has recommended standing up a new Space Development Agency to take over development of next-generation space systems and work more closely with the commercial space industry.
The Space Force is part of a broader reorganization of U.S. military space capabilities that includes reestablishing U.S. Space Command and creating a Space Development Agency to handle space acquisition.
The Space Development Agency is intended to provide systems engineering across DoD space activities and establish department-wide standards and commonality.
The Pentagon has recommended establishing a Space Development Agency to focus on technology procurement and delivering systems to combat forces more rapidly than the traditional system.
Once SPD-4 is signed, the Department of Defense would have 30 days to identify the resources to establish Space Force components and 45 days to develop an operating model and structure for the Space Development Agency.
The draft SPD-4 directs the Pentagon to form a Space Development Agency in fiscal year 2019 and specifies that the SDA would be organized under the Department of Defense until the Department of the Space Force is formed.
This legislative proposal will address the aggregation of space program funding between the existing services and the Space Development Agency.
Shanahan is evaluating whether to allocate space funding to the Army, Air Force, or the proposed Space Development Agency.
Mike Griffin proposed creating a Warfighter Council within the Space Development Agency that would include a red cell performing devil’s advocacy and adversarial interaction with blue cells.
Heather Wilson recommended using existing structures designed to acquire capabilities rapidly rather than establishing new structures for the Space Development Agency.
Mike Griffin proposed a new Washington, D.C.-based Space Development Agency with a staff of 112 government personnel.