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 U.S. Space Force’s Space Development Agency announced on 2023-08-17 that the selected companies will conduct three-month studies.
The Space Development Agency is paying a total of $1,600,000 to SpaceX, Kuiper Government Solutions, and Aalyria Technologies to conduct the studies.
Terran Orbital has a smaller deal with Lockheed Martin to deliver 10 satellites for the U.S. Space Force’s Space Development Agency missile-tracking LEO constellation.
Momentus developed the M-1000 satellite bus based on the Vigoride platform and is offering the M-1000 to the Space Development Agency and other potential customers.
The first contract action for Momentus under the SDA SBIR award is valued at $746,073 with an option to add an additional $1,196,404 for further work.
Momentus signed a contract with the U.S. Defense Department’s Space Development Agency for a Small Business Innovation Research Award titled "Orbital Service Vehicle Enhancements to Meet Department of Defense (DoD) Mission Requirements."
Momentus received a Small Business Innovation Research award from the Space Development Agency valued at nearly $750,000 to tailor the Vigoride tug for U.S. Department of Defense applications, with an option worth nearly $1,200,000 for future work.
Momentus Inc. signed a contract with the U.S. Defense Department’s Space Development Agency for a Small Business Innovation Research Award titled "Orbital Service Vehicle Enhancements to Meet Department of Defense (DoD) Mission Requirements."
The Space Development Agency has ordered 10 satellites from Ball Aerospace.
The Space Development Agency has ordered seven satellites from Raytheon Technologies.
The Space Development Agency is buying satellites under fixed-price contracts and recompeting Transport Layer and Tracking Layer spacecraft procurements every two years.
The Space Development Agency plans to award Transport Layer Tranche 2 contracts later in 2023 and Tracking Layer Tranche 2 contracts in 2024.
The Space Development Agency has ordered 20 satellites from L3Harris Technologies.
The Space Development Agency estimates achieving global coverage starting in 2026 when Tranche 2 satellites are in orbit.
The Space Development Agency deploys its constellation in tranches of satellites every two years to implement a spiral development process.
The Space Development Agency has ordered four satellites from SpaceX.
The Space Development Agency expects the Tracking Layer to have enough satellites to provide missile warning and missile tracking coverage and to provide updates and cues for radar and other weapons systems.
The Space Development Agency set a target price of at most $15,000,000 per Transport Layer satellite.
The Space Development Agency’s budget grew from $125,000,000 in its first year to about $4,600,000,000 in the Pentagon’s 2024 funding request.
The Space Development Agency was established in 2019.