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 Space Development Agency awarded York Space Systems a $94,000,000 contract in August 2020 to develop the Tranche 0 satellites.
York Space Systems is developing 62 satellites for Tranche 2 Alpha of the Space Development Agency's Proliferated Warfighter Space Architecture, scheduled for launch in 2026.
Redwire has supplied antennas for the Space Development Agency’s Transport Layer program dating back to Tranche 0 in 2020.
The Space Development Agency tested and validated the concept that small satellites can offer significant support to the warfighter.
Rocket Lab subcontracted CesiumAstro to provide antennas as part of a $515,000,000 contract with the Space Development Agency for 18 military satellites slated to launch in mid-2027.
Kepler established optical inter-satellite links during commissioning and early operations between two Pathfinder satellites equipped with Space Development Agency compatible Tesat SCOT80 optical terminals.
The inter-satellite links adhered to optical communications standards developed by the U.S. Space Development Agency and used SDA-compatible optical user terminals.
Tranche 1 launches for the Space Development Agency are expected later 2024 and in early 2025.
The Space Development Agency plans to spend about $4,000,000,000 a year on a proliferated constellation of hundreds of small satellites in low Earth orbit.
The Space Development Agency is ordering satellites from multiple vendors and requiring manufacturers to make their spacecraft interoperable via optical links.
K2 Space received a $3,800,000 Tactical Funding Increase (TACFI) award from the Space Development Agency and Space Systems Command’s Space Domain Awareness & Combat Power program executive office.
The Space Development Agency is using other transaction authority to solicit a pool of potential performers called the Hybrid Acquisition for Proliferated LEO (HALO).
HALO will provide opportunities for companies to gain experience working with the Space Development Agency on demonstration projects.
The Space Development Agency anticipates initiating and awarding multiple prototype orders per year under HALO.
The Space Development Agency released a solicitation for the Hybrid Acquisition for Proliferated LEO (HALO) program on 2024-05-31.
HALO pool members will be able to work directly with the Space Development Agency to ensure their security capabilities are sufficient to perform on SDA missions.
The HALO solicitation states that the Space Development Agency plans to award multiple contracts annually.
The Space Development Agency plans to procure a separate ground system in support of its experimental missile defense satellites.
The Space Development Agency plans to spend about $4,000,000,000 a year developing the Proliferated Warfighter Space Architecture (PWSA).
The Space Development Agency plans to award two separate contracts to build a ground system in support of these demonstrations.