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 plans to launch 20 satellites for the Transport Layer Tranche 0 in fall 2024.
Lockheed Martin is producing 10 communications satellites for the Space Development Agency’s Transport Layer Tranche 0.
Space-to-space optical communications is a critical technology for DARPA's Blackjack constellation and for the Space Development Agency's planned mesh network of small satellites in low Earth orbit.
York Space Systems is producing 10 communications satellites for the Space Development Agency’s Transport Layer Tranche 0.
The Mandrake 2 experiment validated the Space Development Agency's strategy to use commoditized laser communication platforms and technologies for satellite-to-satellite communication.
SpaceX is making four infrared sensor satellites for the Space Development Agency’s Tracking Layer Tranche 0.
Terran Orbital was awarded a contract to build 42 satellites for the U.S. Space Development Agency’s Tranche 1 Transport Layer.
The Tranche 0 Transport Layer is the foundation layer and represents the initial step in building an interoperable, connected secure mesh network for the Space Development Agency.
Terran Orbital Corporation (NYSE: LLAP) delivered the first of ten satellite buses to Lockheed Martin in support of the Space Development Agency’s Tranche 0 Transport Layer.
The Space Development Agency is building a constellation of small low Earth orbit satellites for communications and missile detection and plans to launch them in batches.
The Space Development Agency expects to spend $1,400,000,000 on launch services between 2023 and 2027.
Iridium pursued the Space Development Agency contract as of 2024-04-19.
The Space Development Agency ordered 126 satellites from Lockheed Martin, Northrop Grumman, and York Space Systems, with each company responsible for providing and operating 42 satellites.
The Space Development Agency will select a separate contractor to manage the Transport Layer enterprise including ground stations, data links, and user equipment.
Iridium and General Dynamics Mission Systems submitted a proposal to develop system integration, ground systems, facilities, ground stations, and day-to-day network operations for the Space Development Agency’s proliferated LEO constellation.
The Space Development Agency is reviewing bids for Transport Layer Tranche 1 and plans to select a contractor in the coming months.
The Space Development Agency issued a January request for proposals for the ground operations and integration segment of the $1,800,000,000 Transport Layer Tranche 1.
Each Space Development Agency satellite in the planned constellation will include a Link 16 communications payload so it can be part of the tactical data network.
Iridium is bidding to operate a planned low Earth orbit constellation for the U.S. Department of Defense’s Space Development Agency Transport Layer Tranche 1.
The Space Development Agency selected manufacturers on 2022-02-28 to build satellites for the Transport Layer Tranche 1, and Northrop Grumman was one of those manufacturers.