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 compact dimensions of the Maxar 300 platforms are intended to help the Space Development Agency significantly reduce size, weight, power, and cost compared to traditional missile detection satellites.
The Space Development Agency’s Tranche 1 Tracking Layer is the first program to benefit from the Maxar 300™ platform and will begin production later 2023.
Maxar Technologies completed the first Critical Design Review of the Maxar 300™ series bus for L3Harris Technologies in support of the Space Development Agency’s Tranche 1 Tracking Layer program.
The 16 Maxar 300 buses will be used to build missile-detecting sensor satellites for the Space Development Agency’s Tranche 1 Tracking Layer program.
L3Harris won a $700,000,000 contract from the Space Development Agency to produce 14 satellites for the Tracking Layer Tranche 1 plus two additional satellites for a missile-tracking demonstration.
The Space Development Agency plans to start launching the Tracking Layer Tranche 1 in 2025.
Maxar will build 16 Maxar 300 platforms for the Space Development Agency’s T1TRK program.
Northrop Grumman selected Trident Systems in March to provide processing and storage electronics for 14 missile-detecting satellites Northrop Grumman is producing for the U.S. Space Force’s Space Development Agency.
Innoflight is providing an on-orbit Battle Management Command, Control & Communications (BMC3) module for the Space Development Agency Proliferated Warfighter Space Architecture Tranche 1 Transport Layer.
The Space Development Agency is a procurement organization under the Space Force that is executing a multibillion-dollar plan to field a mesh network of low Earth orbit satellites for missile warning and data transport.
The Space Development Agency launched its first batch of 10 satellites in April and planned to launch its next 13 spacecraft in late July.
The Space Development Agency posted a solicitation on 2023-06-28 seeking industry proposals for Tranche 2 Transport Layer Alpha (T2TL-Alpha) space vehicles.
The Space Development Agency is building a layered network of military satellites that includes a Transport Layer to serve as a tactical network to move data to users around the world.
The Space Development Agency released a final request for proposals for a procurement of 100 satellites on 2023-06-28.
Transport Layer Tranche 2 also includes 72 Beta satellites for which the Space Development Agency previously requested bids.
Transport Layer Tranche 2 will be the Space Development Agency’s largest procurement to date.
The Space Development Agency has already acquired satellites for Tranche 0 and Tranche 1 of both the Transport Layer and the Tracking Layer.
Mynaric’s CONDOR terminals were previously selected by Northrop Grumman for the Space Development Agency Tranche 1 Transport Layer program.
Mynaric was selected by Raytheon Technologies to supply optical communications terminals for the Space Development Agency Tranche 1 Tracking Layer program.
Mynaric has been selected by Raytheon Technologies to supply optical communications terminals for the Space Development Agency Tranche 1 Tracking Layer program.