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 plans to launch 72 data-transport satellites to orbit in 2026.
The Space Development Agency is an organization under the U.S. Space Force building the Proliferated Warfighter Space Architecture, a mesh network in low Earth orbit that includes a data transport layer and a missile-tracking sensor layer.
As of 2023-08-29, the Space Development Agency is preparing to launch its second batch of Tranche 0 satellites.
LeoStella and Hera Systems offer a combined manufacturing proposal for the Space Development Agency’s Tranche 2 Transport Layer.
Hera Systems and LeoStella plan to jointly manufacture satellite buses for the Space Development Agency and for other government and commercial customers.
Hera Systems and LeoStella are teaming up to compete for a large military contract to be awarded in fall 2024 by the U.S. Space Development Agency.
The U.S. Space Development Agency is building the Proliferated Warfighter Space Architecture, which includes a Transport Layer of interconnected communications satellites and a Tracking Layer of missile-detection and warning sensor satellites.
The Space Development Agency awarded prototype agreements totaling $1,500,000,000 to Lockheed Martin and Northrop Grumman to build data transport satellites for the Proliferated Warfighter Space Architecture.
The Space Development Agency expects to launch the 72 transport satellites built by Lockheed Martin and Northrop Grumman in 2026.
Northrop Grumman selected Mynaric for Space Development Agency programs related to the Tranche 1 Transport Layer and Tracking Layer.
Raytheon selected Mynaric for the Space Development Agency’s Tranche 1 Tracking Layer program.
The Space Development Agency research and development program is slated for 2025 to demonstrate connections between various space-based optical communications terminals and a Mynaric-designed optical ground station.
Raytheon selected Mynaric for the Space Development Agency’s Tranche 1 Tracking Layer program.
The Space Development Agency demonstration is an R&D program slated for 2025 to demonstrate connections between space-based optical communications terminals and an optical ground station designed by Mynaric.
Mynaric supplies a portion of the optical communications terminals used on Space Development Agency satellites.
With the T2TL Beta award, Lockheed Martin will deliver at least 88 data communications satellites for the Space Development Agency's low-Earth orbit military constellation.
T2TL Beta satellites will operate in tandem with the Space Development Agency's Tranche 1 and Tranche 2 networks.
Mynaric was selected by the Space Development Agency to design an optical ground station to transmit and receive data from satellites in low Earth orbit.
The Space Development Agency awarded Lockheed Martin a firm-fixed-price agreement valued at approximately $816,000,000 to build 36 Tranche 2 Transport Layer Beta satellites.
The Space Development Agency selected Northrop Grumman Corporation to design and build 36 data transport satellites for the Proliferated Warfighter Space Architecture.