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.
SpaceX launched from Space Launch Complex 4 East (SLC-4E) at Vandenberg Space Force Base on the Tranche 0 Flight 2 mission for the Space Development Agency after two scrubs.
The 2023-09-02 mission was the second launch of the Space Development Agency’s Tranche 0 mesh network of military communications and missile-tracking satellites.
The 2023-04-02 and 2023-09-02 Tranche 0 launches were performed under a 2020-12-01 $150,000,000 contract that the Space Development Agency awarded to SpaceX.
York Space Systems has delivered all of its T0 satellites to the Space Development Agency.
York Space Systems is developing 42 satellites to support the Space Development Agency's Tranche 1 (T1) of the PWSA slated for launch in late 2024.
The Space Development Agency is a U.S. Space Force organization building a space data network called the Proliferated Warfighter Space Architecture that includes a transport layer and a missile-tracking sensor layer.
QinetiQ US (formerly Avantus Federal) was awarded a five-year, $224,000,000 contract by the Space Development Agency.
The contract will provide systems engineering and technical assistance to the Space Development Agency to quickly deliver space-based capabilities to the joint warfighter.
QinetiQ US will provide full life cycle support to the Space Development Agency from requirements generation to launch operations.
QinetiQ US was awarded a $224,000,000 contract to provide systems engineering and technical support to the Space Development Agency.
The space vehicles launched during this mission will serve as part of the Space Development Agency’s Proliferated Warfighter Space Architecture.
The Space Development Agency is building a mesh network in low Earth orbit called the Proliferated Warfighter Space Architecture.
SpaceX is targeting Friday, 2023-09-01 at 7:26 a.m. PT (14:26 UTC) for a Falcon 9 launch of the Space Development Agency’s second Tranche 0 mission to low-Earth orbit from Space Launch Complex 4E (SLC-4E) at Vandenberg Space Force Base in California.
SpaceX was targeting Thursday, 2023-08-31 at 7:26 a.m. PT (14:26 UTC) for the Falcon 9 launch of the Space Development Agency’s second Tranche 0 mission from SLC-4E at Vandenberg Space Force Base.
The space vehicles launched on this mission will serve as part of the Space Development Agency’s Proliferated Warfighter Space Architecture, a layered network of satellites in low-Earth orbit and supporting elements.
The Falcon 9 second Tranche 0 mission for the Space Development Agency will launch from Space Launch Complex 4E (SLC-4E) at Vandenberg Space Force Base in California.
The Space Development Agency seeks to work with a broader base of prime contractors and does not favor incumbents, but few companies can handle the unique mission payloads of Tranche 2 Beta.
As of 2023-08-29, the Space Development Agency is pursuing a commercial-like approach that relies on a broad base of suppliers of small satellites and laser communications terminals.
LeoStella and Hera Systems submitted a combined manufacturing proposal for the Space Development Agency’s Tranche 2 Transport Layer.
The Space Development Agency plans to start launching 126 Tranche 1 satellites in September 2024.