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 set a goal to acquire batches of new spacecraft every two years and launch them at frequent intervals.
Mynaric was selected as the sole laser communication supplier for Northrop Grumman on the Space Development Agency’s Tranche 1 Transport Layer program.
A DARPA-led study team is working with MIT Lincoln Laboratory, the Space Development Agency, and other organizations to integrate commercial, government, and military satellite communities.
The Space Development Agency plans to start launching payloads this fall and projects that by 2024 as many as 176 spacecraft will be ready to go to orbit.
A common launch integrator would work with the Space Development Agency, satellite manufacturers, and launch providers to facilitate payload integration across multiple launch vehicles.
The Space Development Agency expects to be ramping up launches around 2024 while the U.S. Space Force will be in the process of selecting launch providers for the next NSSL contract.
The Space Development Agency selected L3Harris Technologies as a prime contractor for the Tranche 1 Tracking Layer of the National Defense Space Architecture.
L3Harris Technologies selected Maxar Technologies to design and produce 14 spacecraft platforms and associated support for L3Harris’s Tranche 1 Tracking Layer contract with the Space Development Agency.
L3Harris Technologies was selected by the Space Development Agency as a prime contractor for the Tranche 1 Tracking Layer as part of the initial Missile Warning/Missile Tracking warfighting capability of the National Defense Space Architecture.
Maxar Technologies of Westminster, Colorado was selected by L3Harris Technologies to design and produce 14 spacecraft platforms and associated support for L3Harris’s Tranche 1 Tracking Layer contract with the Space Development Agency on 2022-08-09.
Maxar was selected by L3Harris on 2022-08-09 to supply 14 satellite buses for a Space Development Agency contract to produce 14 satellites scheduled to launch in 2025.
L3Harris won a $700,000,000 contract from the Pentagon’s Space Development Agency to produce 14 satellites to launch in 2025.
Maxar filed a bid protest in October 2021 over the Space Development Agency’s Transport Layer Tranche 1 solicitation.
The Government Accountability Office dismissed Maxar’s Transport Layer Tranche 1 protest after the Space Development Agency canceled the solicitation and reopened it under Other Transaction Authority.
Maxar Technologies was selected by L3Harris to manufacture 14 missile-detection satellites for the U.S. Space Development Agency.
Terran Orbital's near-term focus is to complete 10 satellite buses for Lockheed Martin for the Space Development Agency's Transport Layer Tranche 0.
Terran Orbital delivered the first of ten satellite buses to Lockheed Martin in support of the Space Development Agency’s Tranche 0 Transport Layer.
Terran Orbital delivered five satellites during the second quarter of 2022, including NASA’s CAPSTONE and the first of ten satellite buses for the SDA Transport Layer Tranche 0.
The U.S. Space Development Agency awarded L3Harris Technologies and Northrop Grumman contracts to each build 14 missile-tracking satellites for the Tracking Layer Tranche 1 constellation.
The Space Development Agency is preparing to start deploying a mesh network in low Earth orbit.