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 Falcon 9 first stage used for the 29 October 2023 Vandenberg Starlink launch was flying its seventh mission, having previously launched the Space Development Agency’s Tranche 0 mission and six Starlink missions.
Northrop Grumman has won orders from the Space Development Agency for 132 satellites for the Transport and the Tracking Layer to date.
On 2023-10-30, the Space Development Agency awarded Northrop Grumman a $732,000,000 contract for 38 communications satellites that will be part of the U.S. military’s low Earth orbit space architecture.
The 38 Northrop Grumman satellites are for the Space Development Agency’s Transport Layer Tranche 2 Alpha, which will have a total of 100 satellites.
Terran Orbital has a deal to provide 36 satellite buses to Lockheed Martin for the Transport Layer Tranche 2 Beta of the Space Development Agency’s proposed LEO constellation.
Tesat-Spacecom’s laser communications terminals passed key ground tests required for deployment on Space Development Agency satellites on 2023-10-26.
Lockheed Martin is also using CACI’s optical terminals for Space Development Agency Tranche 1 satellites.
The Space Development Agency plans to deploy a mesh network of interconnected satellites that includes a Transport Layer to transmit data collected by a Tracking Layer of missile-detection sensor satellites.
TESAT’s Optical Communication Terminals (OCTs) passed interoperability testing for the Space Development Agency’s Tranche 1 Transport Layer satellites.
Tesat’s terminals will be integrated with Lockheed Martin’s satellites that will be part of the Space Development Agency Transport Layer Tranche 1 satellites scheduled to launch in late 2024.
Lockheed Martin will build the Space Development Agency’s Tranche 1 Transport Layer satellites.
Each Space Development Agency spacecraft in the mesh network is equipped with multiple laser communications terminals.
Terran Orbital delivered 10 satellite buses to Lockheed Martin last year in support of Lockheed Martin’s Tranche 0 Transport Layer contract with the Space Development Agency.
Lockheed Martin will conduct payload integration and jointly operate the Tranche 2 Transport Layer Beta satellites with the Space Development Agency.
Lockheed Martin awarded Terran Orbital Corporation a contract to build 36 satellite buses for the Space Development Agency’s Tranche 2 Transport Layer Beta constellation.
The Space Development Agency also ordered 36 Transport Layer Tranche 2 Beta satellites from Northrop Grumman.
The Space Development Agency is an organization under the U.S. Space Force building a mesh network of military satellites in low Earth orbit.
Terran Orbital delivered 10 satellite buses to Lockheed Martin last year in support of Lockheed Martin’s Tranche 0 Transport Layer contract with the Space Development Agency.
The 36 satellite buses from Terran Orbital are for satellites ordered by the Space Development Agency for its Transport Layer Tranche 2 Beta portion of the constellation.
Terran Orbital is currently building 42 satellite buses for Lockheed Martin to help fulfill a $700,000,000 contract for the Space Development Agency’s Tranche 1 Transport Layer.