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U.S. Space Development Agency (SDA)

US

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.

gov defenseFounded 2019
United States
www.sda.mil/
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All verified mentions of this organization in source documents.

Raytheon Technologies’ space vehicles are part of the Space Development Agency’s Tranche 1 Tracking Layer.

RelationshipsCapabilityValue 4.0May 11, 2023CesiumAstro’s active phased array technology is enlisted by Raytheon Technologies for 7 space vehicles supporting SDA’s Tranche 1 Tracking Layer

CesiumAstro was selected by Raytheon Technologies to provide its Vireo active electronically scanned array (AESA) RF communications payload for integration into seven space vehicles supporting the Space Development Agency’s Tranche 1 Tracking Layer.

RelationshipsPlanCapabilityValue 4.5May 8, 2023CesiumAstro to provide 7 multi-beam, active phased array comms payloads to Raytheon Technologies for SDA’s Tranche 1 Tracking Layer

Maxar Technologies will deliver in early 2024 the first of 16 satellite buses ordered by L3Harris for a U.S. Space Development Agency low Earth orbit military constellation.

RelationshipsPlanCapabilityValue 4.6May 8, 2023Maxar pursuing defense deals for its new line of small satellites

Maxar is offering the small satellite bus to other defense contractors competing for Space Development Agency satellite contracts.

RelationshipsCapabilityValue 3.8May 8, 2023Maxar pursuing defense deals for its new line of small satellites

CesiumAstro was selected by Raytheon Technologies to provide its Vireo active electronically scanned array RF communications payload for integration into seven space vehicles supporting the Space Development Agency’s Tranche 1 Tracking Layer.

RelationshipsPlanValue 4.6May 8, 2023CesiumAstro to Provide Active Phased Array Communication Payloads for SDA’s T1TL Lunar Exploration

The U.S. Space Development Agency constellation includes a Transport Layer for communications and a Tracking Layer for missile detection.

CapabilityGeneralValue 4.0May 8, 2023Maxar pursuing defense deals for its new line of small satellites

L3Harris won a $700,000,000 contract from the Space Development Agency in July to produce 14 satellites for the Tracking Layer Tranche 1 plus two additional satellites for a missile-tracking demonstration.

RelationshipsFinancialPlanValue 5.0May 8, 2023Maxar pursuing defense deals for its new line of small satellites

Raytheon Technologies’ space vehicles are part of the Tranche 1 Tracking Layer, the Space Development Agency’s first operationally capable set of low-Earth orbit infrared missile warning and missile tracking satellites.

CapabilityGeneralValue 4.0May 8, 2023CesiumAstro to Provide Active Phased Array Communication Payloads for SDA’s T1TL Lunar Exploration

CesiumAstro was selected by Raytheon Technologies to provide its Vireo active electronically scanned array RF communications payload for integration into seven space vehicles supporting the Space Development Agency’s Tranche 1 Tracking Layer.

RelationshipsPlanCapabilityValue 4.0May 4, 2023CesiumAstro Selected to Provide 7 Multi-Beam, Active Phased Array Communications Payloads to Raytheon Technologies for SDA’s Tranche 1 Tracking Layer

Mynaric’s CONDOR Mk3 optical communications terminal offers full compatibility with the Space Development Agency’s interoperability standard.

CapabilityGeneralValue 3.5May 4, 2023Mynaric Receives Order from Loft Federal for CONDOR Mk3 to Support NExT–SDA’s Experimental Testbed

Raytheon Technologies’ space vehicles are part of Tranche 1 Tracking Layer, the Space Development Agency’s first operationally capable set of low-Earth orbit infrared missile warning and missile tracking satellites.

GeneralCapabilityPlanValue 4.0May 4, 2023CesiumAstro Selected to Provide 7 Multi-Beam, Active Phased Array Communications Payloads to Raytheon Technologies for SDA’s Tranche 1 Tracking Layer

Northrop Grumman selected Mynaric’s CONDOR terminals for the Space Development Agency’s Tranche 1 Transport and Tracking Layers.

RelationshipsPlanValue 4.3May 4, 2023Mynaric Receives Order from Loft Federal for CONDOR Mk3 to Support NExT–SDA’s Experimental Testbed

The Space Development Agency is building a mesh network of military satellites in low Earth orbit that includes a Transport Layer of communications satellites and a Tracking Layer of missile-detection satellites.

PlanCapabilityGeneralValue 4.0May 2, 2023Satellite manufacturer LeoStella focused on defense market as commercial demand softens

The Space Development Agency acquired 20 satellites for Transport Layer Tranche 0 and eight satellites for Tracking Layer Tranche 0.

RelationshipsPlanValue 4.5May 2, 2023Satellite manufacturer LeoStella focused on defense market as commercial demand softens

The XVI experiment will support the Space Development Agency’s low Earth constellation, which is deploying data transport satellites equipped with Link 16 communications payloads.

CapabilityGeneralValue 4.0May 2, 2023Air Force to launch Link 16 tactical communications cubesat

LeoStella is in discussions with multiple defense contractors about using the company’s new satellite bus in future bids for Space Development Agency contracts.

RelationshipsPlanValue 3.8May 2, 2023Satellite manufacturer LeoStella focused on defense market as commercial demand softens

The Space Development Agency ordered 126 satellites for Transport Layer Tranche 1 and 35 satellites for Tracking Layer Tranche 1.

RelationshipsPlanValue 4.5May 2, 2023Satellite manufacturer LeoStella focused on defense market as commercial demand softens

The Space Development Agency has relied on commercial products to procure Transport Layer satellites at about $15,000,000 each.

RelationshipsFinancialValue 4.6May 2, 2023Satellite manufacturer LeoStella focused on defense market as commercial demand softens

Procurement of the Space Development Agency’s Tracking Layer Tranche 2 is expected in 2024, and the agency is soliciting industry comments in advance of that procurement.

PlanGeneralValue 3.0May 2, 2023Satellite manufacturer LeoStella focused on defense market as commercial demand softens

CONDOR Mk3 was previously selected by Northrop Grumman for the Space Development Agency’s Tranche 1 Transport and Tracking Layers.

RelationshipsValue 4.5May 2, 2023Mynaric receives order from Loft​ Federal​ for CONDOR Mk3 optical comms terminals to support SDA’s NExT
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