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.
Heather Wilson opposed creating an assistant secretary of defense for space or a Space Development Agency that reports to that office because she assessed it would create additional bureaucracy removed from operators.
Deputy Defense Secretary Patrick Shanahan requested that Mike Griffin and Air Force Secretary Heather Wilson submit separate proposals for creating a Space Development Agency in a 2018-09-10 memo.
Air Force Secretary Heather Wilson projected $13,000,000,000 to stand up a new military service for space including establishing a Department of the Space Force, a U.S. Space Command, a Space Development Agency and sustaining them over five years.
Heather Wilson provided her cost estimates in a 2018-09-14 memo in response to a 2018-09-10 directive from Deputy Defense Secretary Patrick Shanahan to submit a concept for creating a Space Development Agency.
Patrick Shanahan directed Heather Wilson and Undersecretary of Defense for Research and Engineering Michael Griffin to each develop a concept for establishing a Space Development Agency.
The Pentagon recommended creating a Space Development Agency to accelerate space technology and rapidly develop and field next-generation capabilities.
The 2018-09-10 memo includes actions to stand up a unified combatant command for space, a Space Development Agency, and Space Operations Forces using executive branch authorities.
Undersecretary of Defense for Research and Engineering Michael Griffin and Air Force Secretary Heather Wilson were directed to each develop a concept for establishing a Space Development Agency, with draft concepts due to the governing committee by 2018-09-14.
The Pentagon proposed creating a U.S. Space Command, a Space Operations Force, and a Space Development Agency as part of its reorganization.
The Department of Defense has proposed establishing a Space Development Agency charged with rapidly developing and fielding next-generation space technologies.
The 2018-07-30 draft of the DoD report included immediate actions to stand up a unified Space Command, establish a Space Operations Force, and create a Space Development Agency to oversee technology efforts.
The Pentagon will develop a Space Operations Force to provide expertise to combatant commanders and the Space Development Agency and to surge expertise in time of crisis.
The Pentagon will establish a Space Development Agency to develop and field space capabilities at speed and scale.
The draft report presented the Space Development Agency as an entity related to replacing the Air Force Space and Missile Systems Center, a 5,000-person organization based in Los Angeles that oversees a $6,000,000,000 space portfolio.