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 was established in 2019 and is now part of the U.S. Space Force.
Northrop Grumman is using satellite buses from Airbus for Space Development Agency work.
York Space Systems manufactures its own satellite buses for Space Development Agency work.
Type 1 encryption required for the Space Development Agency’s satellites requires National Security Agency approval that can take years to obtain.
The Space Development Agency plans to spend about $4,000,000,000 a year on a proliferated constellation of hundreds of smaller, less costly satellites.
Raytheon won a contract as a prime contractor to produce seven Tranche 1 satellites for the Space Development Agency but later decided it could not meet the price targets and de-scoped much of the work.
Sierra Space won a Tranche 2 contract from the Space Development Agency to produce 18 satellites.
Tranche 3 of the Space Development Agency’s procurements is planned for 2025 and 2026.
Lockheed Martin is using satellite buses from Terran Orbital for Space Development Agency work.
Mercury Systems was awarded a $31,000,000 contract from L3Harris Technologies to provide solid-state data recorders for the U.S. Space Development Agency’s Tranche 2 Tracking Layer satellite constellation.
L3Harris Technologies was selected in January to design and build 18 satellites for SDA’s Tranche 2 Tracking Layer program.
The Tranche 2 Tracking Layer is part of the Space Development Agency’s Proliferated Warfighter Space Architecture, a layered network of military satellites supporting multiple missions in low Earth orbit.
Mercury Systems, Inc. (NASDAQ: MRCY) was awarded a $31,000,000 contract by L3Harris Technologies (NYSE: LHX) to provide solid-state data recorders for the U.S. Space Development Agency’s Tranche 2 Tracking Layer satellite constellation.
The Space Development Agency awarded Rocket Lab a $515,000,000 contract to design and build 18 Tranche 2 Transport Layer-Beta Data Transport Satellites.
In February 2024 SpaceX launched the USSF-124 mission from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station, Florida, deploying six U.S. missile defense satellites for the Space Development Agency and the Missile Defense Agency.
Rocket Lab has a $515,000,000 contract from the Space Development Agency to design and build 18 Tranche 2 Transport Layer-Beta Data Transport (T2TL-Beta) satellites.
Four satellites that L3Harris built for the U.S. Space Development Agency’s Tracking Layer Tranche 0 launched in February.
The Space Development Agency is now achieving connectivity on 100 percent of satellite passes and roughly 10 minutes of connectivity per pass, approximately limb to limb.
Norway is working with the Space Development Agency to conduct Link 16 tests in the summer.
Mercury Systems has a $31,000,000 contract dated 2024-04-10 to supply solid-state data recorders to L3Harris Technologies for the U.S. Space Development Agency’s Tracking Layer Tranche 2.