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 radio-frequency antenna in northern Norway provides geographic distribution to enable frequent contacts with the Space Development Agency’s constellation.
In January, the U.S. Space Development Agency awarded contracts to L3Harris, Lockheed Martin, and Sierra Space to produce 18 Tracking Layer Tranche 2 satellites apiece equipped with infrared sensors to track hypersonic missiles in flight.
Norwegian platforms, aircraft, and ground units will be able to use Link 16 to communicate directly with the Space Development Agency’s Tranche 0 satellites that are in orbit.
In December, the U.S. Space Development Agency contracted L3Harris to begin producing 16 Tracking Layer Tranche 1 satellites.
The Space Development Agency is testing Link 16, an encrypted tactical data protocol used in NATO radios, with Norwegian forces.
The Space Development Agency is working with Norway to test the communications network underpinning its constellation.
The Space Development Agency operates ground stations in Alaska, Pennsylvania, and other U.S. locations to provide communications for the Proliferated Warfighter Space Architecture.
The fiscal year 2024 budget supports the Space Force’s major programs and enables the Space Development Agency to continue building a more resilient space architecture in low Earth orbit and deploying capabilities used to track hypersonic missiles.
Terran Orbital displayed a full-size Nebula platform that powers the Space Development Agency’s Tranche 0 constellation.
Initial shipments of the CONDOR Mk3 free-space optical communications system will be part of the United States Space Development Agency Tranche 1 Transport and Tracking Layer programs.
Lockheed Martin uses Terran Orbital’s satellite buses to build small satellites for the U.S. Space Force as part of the Space Development Agency’s proliferated mesh network of satellites in low Earth orbit.
The Space Development Agency’s Tracking Layer work is part of a collaborative approach that includes MEO missile warning/missile tracking efforts at Space Systems Command and integrated data and ground efforts of the Missile Defense Agency.
The Space Development Agency’s Tracking Layer Tranche 1 will not include seven satellites made by Raytheon Technologies as originally planned.
Congress increased the Space Development Agency’s 2023 budget by $250,000,000 specifically to pay for missile-tracking satellites, enabling the addition of seven Raytheon satellites as a fifth plane of the constellation.
The Tracking Layer Tranche 1 is the first deployment of a multi-phase plan to develop a global missile warning and tracking system by the Space Development Agency.
In July 2022 the Space Development Agency ordered 14 Tracking Layer satellites from Northrop Grumman and 14 from L3Harris Technologies.
In January 2024, the Space Development Agency awarded Sierra Space a $740,000,000 prime contract for 18 Tranche 2 satellites to provide global indications, detection, warning, and tracking of conventional and advanced missile threats, including hypersonic missile systems.
Terran Orbital will present a full-size Nebula platform that powers the Space Development Agency’s Tranche 0 constellation.
Sierra Space’s $1,300,000,000 defense backlog includes a $740,000,000 deal announced in January to produce 18 missile-tracking satellites for the U.S. Space Force’s next-generation missile-tracking satellite network built by the Space Development Agency.
In January 2024, the Space Development Agency awarded Sierra Space a $740,000,000 prime contract for 18 Tranche 2 satellites to accelerate capabilities for global persistent indications, detection, warning, and tracking of conventional and advanced missile threats, including hypersonic missiles.