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 is building the U.S. military’s first low Earth orbit megaconstellation, consisting of a Tracking Layer to detect and monitor missile threats and a Transport Layer to move targeting data and other critical information globally.
The Space Development Agency awarded York Space Systems a $382,000,000 contract to produce 42 satellites for the Tranche 1 Transport Layer.
The Space Development Agency awarded York Space Systems a $382,000,000 contract to deliver 42 satellites for SDA's Tranche 1 Transport Layer.
The Space Development Agency selected York Space Systems in August 2020 to provide 10 satellites for Tranche 0.
The Space Development Agency also selected Lockheed Martin and Northrop Grumman to supply satellites for Tranche 1.
Air Force Secretary Frank Kendall and Space Development Agency Director Derek Tournear toured York Space Systems’ manufacturing facilities on 2022-04-04.
The 2023 budget request includes funds for resilient missile warning and tracking capabilities and, with the Space Development Agency, for the first instantiation of a communications architecture to support the joint force in conflict.
York Space Systems was selected by the Space Development Agency in August 2020 to provide 10 satellites for Tranche 0.
The Space Development Agency’s first batch of eight sensor satellites includes four from L3Harris and four from SpaceX and is projected to launch in early 2023.
The fiscal year 2023 budget includes $314,000,000 to launch three batches of Space Development Agency satellites to low Earth orbit.
The Space Development Agency’s Tracking Layer Tranche 1, a constellation of 28 infrared sensor satellites, receives $1,000,000,000 in the fiscal year 2023 budget.
Terran Orbital expects to deliver ten microsatellites to Lockheed Martin in support of the U.S. Space Development Agency’s Tranche 0 of the Transport Layer in 2022.
Terran Orbital was selected to build 42 satellites for the U.S. Space Development Agency’s Tranche 1 of the Transport Layer.
Congress in 2022 appropriated $18,050,000,000 for the Space Force and $1,500,000,000 for the Space Development Agency.
President Biden’s $773,000,000,000 budget request for the Defense Department for fiscal year 2023 includes $24,500,000,000 for the U.S. Space Force and the Space Development Agency.
The Space Development Agency plans to launch its Transport Layer in batches of 21 satellites.
The Space Development Agency’s Tracking Layer will be deployed in low Earth orbit to detect and track Russian and Chinese hypersonic missiles.
Terran Orbital is building 10 satellites for the U.S. Space Development Agency’s Tranche 0 of the Transport Layer.
The Space Development Agency plans to launch its Tracking Layer in batches of 14 satellites.
The Space Development Agency selected three vendors to produce 126 satellites to launch in 2024 and intends to solicit bids in 2024 for another large batch of satellites.