Polaris Intelligence
Polaris
Intelligence
About
Ctrl K
Sign in
© Polaris Intelligence 2026
PrivacyTermsAdmin

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/
Admin Edit
0.0-5.0

All verified mentions of this organization in source documents.

The Space Development Agency set a 2022-09-02 deadline for vendors to submit proposals in response to the 2022-08-04 special notice.

PlanLegalValue 3.0Aug 5, 2022Space Development Agency to take another stab at space-to-aircraft laser communications

The Space Development Agency is seeking proposals on how to conduct a live demonstration of laser crosslinks between SDA’s Transport Layer satellites and a moving aircraft.

PlanValue 4.0Aug 5, 2022Space Development Agency to take another stab at space-to-aircraft laser communications

The Space Development Agency is building a large mesh network of small satellites in low Earth orbit for communications and missile defense.

PlanCapabilityValue 3.8Aug 1, 2022Space Force to take on bigger role planning future DoD space investments

TacSat is based on the Space Development Agency’s Transport Layer Tranche 0 design to reduce risk for future SDA tranches while providing flexibility to prototype new payload types.

CapabilityPlanValue 3.0Jul 31, 2022Lockheed Martin taking space-augmented JADO (Joint All-Domain Operations) from concept to orbit in 2023

The defense bill provides $216,000,000 for the Space Development Agency to procure two additional launches to accelerate deployment of low Earth orbit missile warning and missile tracking satellites.

FinancialPlanGeneralLegalValue 4.2Jul 28, 2022Senate appropriators boost military space programs in proposed 2023 spending bill

The U.S. Space Development Agency awarded SpaceX a $149,000,000 contract and L3Harris a $193,500,000 contract in October 2020 to each build four satellites to detect and track ballistic and hypersonic missiles.

RelationshipsFinancialPlanCapabilityValue 5.0Jul 27, 2022L3Harris to deliver five missile-warning satellites for 2023 launches

Four infrared sensor satellites built by L3Harris for the U.S. Space Development Agency are projected to launch to low Earth orbit in March 2023.

PlanCapabilityRelationshipsValue 4.0Jul 27, 2022L3Harris to deliver five missile-warning satellites for 2023 launches

Airbus was awarded a contract to provide 42 satellite buses for the Tranche 1 Transport Layer (T1TL) constellation that Northrop Grumman is developing for the U.S. Space Development Agency.

RelationshipsPlanValue 5.0Jul 22, 2022Airbus and Northrop Grumman sign MOU for future UK milsatcoms

The Space Development Agency of Washington, DC is the contracting activity for the Tranche 1 Tracking Layer under contract number HQ08502290003.

RelationshipsValue 4.6Jul 18, 2022UPDATE 2: Space Development Agency contracts for 28 satellite builds for the Tranche 1 Tracking Layer — L3Harris statement — Northrop Grumman statement

Northrop Grumman previously won a 42-satellite contract for the Space Development Agency’s Transport Layer Tranche 1 broadband constellation.

RelationshipsPlanValue 4.5Jul 18, 2022L3Harris, Northrop Grumman to build 28 missile-tracking satellites for U.S. Space Development Agency

The Space Development Agency selected L3Harris Technologies and Northrop Grumman on 2022-07-18 to each build 14 missile-tracking satellites for the Tracking Layer.

RelationshipsPlanCapabilityValue 4.6Jul 18, 2022L3Harris, Northrop Grumman to build 28 missile-tracking satellites for U.S. Space Development Agency

L3Harris developed four prototype satellites under the Space Development Agency’s Tracking Layer Tranche 0 award in 2020.

RelationshipsPlanCapabilityGeneralValue 4.0Jul 18, 2022UPDATE 2: Space Development Agency contracts for 28 satellite builds for the Tranche 1 Tracking Layer — L3Harris statement — Northrop Grumman statement

Congress provided the Space Development Agency $550,000,000 in additional funding in fiscal year 2022 to accelerate deployment of the Tracking Layer with direction to demonstrate a space-based missile warning, tracking, and targeting capability in support of U.S. Indo-Pacific Command.

FinancialPlanCapabilityGeneralValue 5.0Jul 18, 2022UPDATE 2: Space Development Agency contracts for 28 satellite builds for the Tranche 1 Tracking Layer — L3Harris statement — Northrop Grumman statement

The Space Development Agency awarded two prototype agreements with a total potential value of over $1,300,000,000 for the Tranche 1 Tracking Layer.

RelationshipsFinancialPlanValue 4.6Jul 18, 2022UPDATE 2: Space Development Agency contracts for 28 satellite builds for the Tranche 1 Tracking Layer — L3Harris statement — Northrop Grumman statement

Northrop Grumman will build and deploy a proliferated low-Earth orbit constellation of 14 satellites with infrared sensors for the Space Development Agency’s Tranche 1 Tracking Layer.

PlanCapabilityValue 4.5Jul 18, 2022UPDATE 2: Space Development Agency contracts for 28 satellite builds for the Tranche 1 Tracking Layer — L3Harris statement — Northrop Grumman statement

The Space Development Agency selected Northrop Grumman in February to develop and field a portion of its Tranche 1 Transport Layer (T1TL) constellation.

RelationshipsPlanValue 4.0Jul 6, 2022Northrop Grumman selects Airbus U.S. Space — Defense Inc. to supply 42 satellite bus platforms

Northrop Grumman plans to use Mynaric’s laser communications technology for intersatellite links on spacecraft it is building for the Space Development Agency’s Transport Layer Tranche 1 communications network.

RelationshipsPlanCapabilityValue 4.6Jul 6, 2022L3Harris makes strategic investment in Mynaric

The U.S. Space Development Agency plans to launch Tranche 1 satellites in late 2024.

PlanGeneralValue 4.0Jul 5, 2022Northrop Grumman selects Airbus to supply satellite buses for U.S. military constellation

Northrop Grumman selected Airbus as its satellite bus supplier for the U.S. Space Development Agency’s low Earth orbit constellation on 2022-07-05.

RelationshipsValue 4.7Jul 5, 2022Northrop Grumman selects Airbus to supply satellite buses for U.S. military constellation

Northrop Grumman won a $692,000,000 contract from the U.S. Space Development Agency in February to produce 42 satellites projected to launch in 2024.

RelationshipsFinancialPlanValue 5.0Jul 5, 2022Northrop Grumman selects Airbus to supply satellite buses for U.S. military constellation
Page67of110
Track