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.
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Orbital Micro Systems was awarded a Small Business Innovation Research Phase II Other Transaction Authority agreement by the U.S. Space Force’s Space Development Agency.
The Space Development Agency launched its first 23 satellites in 2023 on SpaceX rockets as Tranche 0 demonstration spacecraft.
Lockheed Martin integrates satellite buses sourced from Terran Orbital as part of its work for the Space Development Agency.
The Space Development Agency is developing the Proliferated Warfighter Space Architecture, a large constellation of lower-cost, mass-produced satellites in low Earth orbit.
Northrop Grumman is procuring satellite buses from Airbus’ OneWeb production line for its Space Development Agency work.
The Space Development Agency selected SpaceX in 2020 to supply satellites.
The Space Development Agency plans to launch the four delayed L3Harris missile-tracking satellites early in 2024.
The Space Development Agency aims to run an 11-launch campaign over 11 months starting in September 2024.
York Space Systems won a $615,000,000 contract from the U.S. Space Force Space Development Agency awarded in October.
The SDA Tranche 1 Transport Layer provides low-latency and high-volume data connectivity for the Space Development Agency’s Proliferated Warfighter Space Architecture.
Forty-six OCT units are on the Space Development Agency’s Tranche 0 satellite network that launched earlier 2023 and provides a resilient network of integrated capabilities.
The delivered OCTs are in place for integration on 42 smallsats that Lockheed Martin is building for the Space Development Agency’s Tranche 1 Transport Layer.
York Space Systems is developing an additional 42 satellites for Tranche 1 of the Space Development Agency’s PWSA expected to launch in late 2024.
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 developed, delivered, and launched nine satellites for Tranche 0 of the Space Development Agency’s Proliferated Warfighter Space Architecture (PWSA).
The Space Development Agency awarded York Space Systems a $94,000,000 contract in August 2020 to develop the Tranche 0 satellites.
For the initial Link 16 demonstration, the Space Development Agency used three Tranche 0 Transport Layer satellites provided by York Space Systems of Denver from both 2023 T0 launches.
The Space Development Agency demonstrated space-to-ground data communications from low Earth orbit satellites launched earlier 2023.
Tranche 1 will be operated by the Space Development Agency’s space operations centers that are based heavily on commercial space operations models.
The Space Development Agency launched the first 10 Tranche 0 satellites in April 2023 and launched the next 13 in September 2023.