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 begin deploying a constellation of data transport satellites in low Earth orbit for military use.
Iridium expects the U.S. government to award a contract to operate the Space Development Agency Transport Layer Tranche 1 constellation in 2022.
The Space Development Agency is competitively acquiring satellite systems and building satellite constellations to support military users with heavy participation from the commercial space industry.
The Space Development Agency designed an architecture of low-orbiting sensor satellites to identify and track hypersonic missiles developed by China and Russia.
Lockheed Martin is one of the prime contractors selected to build the Space Development Agency’s transport layer.
After Congress passed the 2022 budget, the Space Development Agency issued a request for industry bids for at least 28 satellites labeled Tracking Layer Tranche 1 with proposals due 2023-04-20.
The Space Development Agency stated that two more launches needed to be funded in 2023 to accelerate deployment of the missile-tracking constellation.
The U.S. Space Force requested an additional $200,000,000 in fiscal year 2023 to launch satellites for the Space Development Agency’s missile-tracking constellation.
The Space Development Agency anticipates selecting two vendors to provide 14 or more satellites each for Tracking Layer Tranche 1.
The Space Development Agency is developing the Transport Layer as a global network of broadband satellites in low Earth orbit.
The Space Development Agency expects to award contracts in June 2023 so satellites can be ready for launch in 2025.
The Space Development Agency anticipated receiving six to 10 bids for the Tracking Layer Tranche 1 contract.
The Space Development Agency planned a $2,500,000,000 missile-tracking constellation that was initially planned to begin launching in 2026 and was being accelerated to 2025.
The Space Development Agency is building a Transport Layer constellation of hundreds of data-relay satellites to support military communications.
Warpspace opened a branch in Washington, D.C., to build relationships with the U.S. government and engage with the Space Development Agency’s Tranche 1 Transport Layer work.
The Space Development Agency’s Transport Layer will provide connectivity directly to warfighters and enable sending targeting data down to interceptors.
The Space Development Agency is developing a network to pass hypersonic glide vehicle targeting data and other targeting data around the world via its Transport Layer and existing tactical data links.
The Space Development Agency is developing a missile Tracking Layer intended to detect and track hypersonic weapons.
Congress added $550,000,000 to the Space Development Agency’s 2022 budget to accelerate the missile detection tracking layer.
The combined 2023 budget for the Space Force and the Space Development Agency is nearly $5,000,000,000 higher than what Congress appropriated in 2022.