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 Northrop Grumman a $732,000,000 contract to provide 38 communications satellites and support services for the U.S. military’s low Earth orbit architecture.
The Space Development Agency awarded SpaceRake a $1,800,000 contract to develop miniature laser communications terminals.
The Transport Layer is a global communications network in low Earth orbit being established by the Space Development Agency, a U.S. Space Force organization.
Proliferated Warfighter Space Architecture is the name the Space Development Agency adopted in early 2023 for its low-Earth orbit constellation that includes Transport Layer communications satellites and Tracking Layer missile-defense satellites.
The Space Development Agency awarded contracts to Lockheed Martin, Northrop Grumman, and York Space Systems to build Transport Layer Tranche 2 satellites equipped with optical and radio-frequency communications terminals.
SDA awarded Northrop Grumman 36 satellites in August 2023 as part of Tranche 2 Transport Layer – Beta (T2TL-Beta).
SDA awarded a firm-fixed-price OTA agreement with a total potential value of approximately $732,000,000 to Northrop Grumman Space Systems of Redondo Beach, California to deliver and operate 38 T2TL-Alpha space vehicles in two orbital planes plus associated ground systems, operations, and sustainment capability.
In August 2023, SDA completed awards for 72 T2TL Beta variant space vehicles that form the foundation of the Tranche 2 data transport mission.
The Space Development Agency awarded Northrop Grumman Corporation (NYSE: NOC) an agreement with a total potential value of approximately $732,000,000 to design and build 38 data transport satellites.
The 38 satellites awarded to Northrop Grumman will support Tranche 2 Transport Layer – Alpha (T2TL-Alpha) of the Space Development Agency’s Proliferated Warfighter Space Architecture.
To date, the Space Development Agency has announced awards to Northrop Grumman for 132 satellites.
SDA awarded a firm-fixed-price OTA agreement with a total potential value of approximately $617,000,000 to York Space Systems of Denver to deliver and operate 62 T2TL-Alpha space vehicles in eight orbital planes plus associated ground systems, operations, and sustainment capability.
The 38 satellites awarded to Northrop Grumman will support Tranche 2 Transport Layer – Alpha (T2TL-Alpha) of the Space Development Agency’s Proliferated Warfighter Space Architecture.
The first stage booster on the 2023-10-29 Vandenberg Falcon 9 launch was flying its seventh mission and had previously launched the Space Development Agency’s Tranche 0 mission and six Starlink missions.
Space Development Agency in Washington, DC is the contracting activity for the Tranche 2 Transport Layer Alpha awards under contract number FA24012490003.
To date, the Space Development Agency has announced awards to Northrop Grumman totaling 132 satellites.
The Space Development Agency awarded Northrop Grumman Corporation an agreement with a total potential value of approximately $732,000,000 to design and build 38 data transport satellites.
The Space Development Agency awarded two Other Transaction Authority prototype agreements with a total value of approximately $1,300,000,000 to build and operate the Tranche 2 Transport Layer Alpha variant prototype constellation of 100 satellites.
The Space Development Agency ordered LEO missile-tracking satellites from L3Harris and Northrop Grumman at about $47,000,000 per satellite.
TESAT’s Optical Communication Terminals passed interoperability testing for the Space Development Agency’s Tranche 1 Transport Layer satellites to be built by Lockheed Martin.