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.
Under a 2021 Space Development Agency contract, General Atomics launched a two-cubesat experiment to demonstrate optical communications in space.
The Space Development Agency plans to deploy a mesh network of interconnected satellites.
On 2023-09-27, the Space Development Agency awarded a $14,200,000 contract to General Atomics to produce two optical communications terminals hosted on two small satellites for an in-space demonstration.
Interoperability tests for Mynaric’s terminals took place at the U.S. Naval Research Laboratory, which was selected by the Space Development Agency to oversee optical communications testing.
Mynaric will supply CONDOR Mk3 terminals to Northrop Grumman’s satellites for the Space Development Agency’s Tranche 1 Transport and Tracking Layer programs.
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.
Mynaric’s laser communications terminals passed key ground tests required for deployment on Space Development Agency satellites on 2023-09-28.
Boeing’s subsidiary Millennium Space Systems focuses on small satellites and is expected to continue competing for military business including the Space Development Agency’s planned mesh network.
CACI International completed Optical Communication Terminal Interoperability Testing of its CrossBeam OCT for the Space Development Agency’s Tranche 1 data relay and tracking network.
The interoperability testing was performed with the Space Development Agency as part of a team led by Lockheed Martin to build 42 satellites for SDA’s Tranche 1 Transport Layer.
Lockheed Martin was selected to build 42 Tranche 1 Transport Layer satellites for the Space Development Agency that SDA plans to launch in late 2024.
Terran Orbital is producing 42 satellite buses for Lockheed Martin to support delivery of 42 Tranche 1 Transport Layer satellites for the Space Development Agency.
The Space Development Agency plans a layered satellite network that includes a Transport Layer of interconnected communications satellites and a Tracking Layer of missile-detection sensor satellites.
Terran Orbital manufactured the satellite buses for Lockheed Martin for payload integration and delivery to the Space Development Agency.
The Naval Research Laboratory built an optical interoperability testbed for the Space Development Agency and produced a reference modem used for ground validation of vendor terminals.
The ten satellites are part of the Tranche 0 Transport Layer of the Space Development Agency’s Proliferated Warfighter Space Architecture.
CACI’s optical communication terminal passed initial ground tests required to compete for Space Development Agency satellite contracts on 2023-09-18.
L3Harris will pursue other Space Development Agency contracts and will compete for Tracking Layer Tranche 2 and a prototype constellation of classified tracking satellites recently announced by SDA.
Terran Orbital is producing 42 satellite buses for Lockheed Martin that will be used to deliver 42 Tranche 1 Transport Layer satellites for the Space Development Agency.
Terran Orbital manufactured the satellite buses for Lockheed Martin for payload integration and delivery to the Space Development Agency.