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.
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Rocket Lab will supply more than 80 Lightband Separation Systems to prime contractor Lockheed Martin and another undisclosed customer that are manufacturing satellites for the SDA’s Tranche 1 Transport Layer.
All 42 Space Development Agency Tranche 1 satellites will include Link 16 and RF communications plus four optical terminals per satellite.
Terran Orbital expects to deliver the 10 Tranche 0 buses to Lockheed Martin by the end of the year to meet the Space Development Agency’s target schedule to launch all 10 satellites in March.
Lockheed Martin won a $187,500,000 contract in 2020 to produce 10 satellites for the Space Development Agency’s Transport Layer Tranche 0.
Lockheed Martin won a $700,000,000 contract earlier 2022 to produce 42 satellites for the Space Development Agency’s Transport Layer Tranche 1.
Lockheed Martin selected Terran Orbital as its satellite bus supplier for the Space Development Agency’s Transport Layer.
Rocket Lab has two contracts totaling $14,000,000 to provide satellite separation systems for companies building the Space Development Agency’s Tranche 1 Transport Layer satellites.
The Space Development Agency’s Tranche 1 Transport Layer consists of a mesh network of 126 optically-interconnected space vehicles.
On 2022-11-10, the Space Development Agency planned to launch the first satellites of a planned mesh network of sensors and communications nodes in low Earth orbit the following month.
The Space Development Agency's goal is to deploy 28 satellites in two SpaceX-contracted launches, one in December and one in March.
A second supply chain concern for the Space Development Agency is insufficient resiliency leading to dependence on a single supplier, which contributed to delays in the Tranche 0 satellites.
The Space Development Agency is tracking the schedule of L3Harris’ satellites daily to ensure parts are delivered and the satellites are built on time.
The Space Development Agency selected Lockheed Martin, Northrop Grumman, and York Space to each produce 42 satellites for the Transport Layer.
The Space Development Agency’s Tranche 1 Transport Layer is projected to launch in 2024.
On 2022-11-09, Rocket Lab USA won two contracts worth $14,000,000 to provide separation systems for U.S. Space Force Space Development Agency satellites.
Rocket Lab will provide separation systems for 84 satellites built by Lockheed Martin and another undisclosed manufacturer for the Space Development Agency’s Tranche 1 Transport Layer.
Terran Orbital is on track to deliver the Space Development Agency’s Transport Layer Tranche 0 satellites by the end of 2022-10-01.
Cognitive Space won an SBIR Phase 1 contract from the Space Development Agency to develop intelligent space mesh network routing algorithms and study hardware solutions for low Earth orbit communications.
For the Space Development Agency SBIR Phase 1 contract, Cognitive Space is partnering with the Southwest Research Institute.
Northrop Grumman selected Leidos to supply infrared sensor payloads for the U.S. Space Development Agency’s missile-tracking satellite constellation in low Earth orbit.