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 selected three companies to produce a total of 126 Transport Layer Tranche 1 satellites.
SDA awarded a $382,000,000 Transport Layer Tranche 1 contract to York Space Systems.
SDA awarded a $700,000,000 Transport Layer Tranche 1 contract to Lockheed Martin.
The Space Development Agency is buying 126 small satellites for $1,800,000,000 to build a communications network in low Earth orbit known as the Transport Layer.
Tyvak Nano Satellite Systems was awarded a contract by Lockheed Martin to build 42 satellites for the Space Development Agency’s Tranche 1 Transport Layer of the National Defense Space Architecture.
The Space Development Agency manages the Transport Layer of the National Defense Space Architecture.
The Space Development Agency would need to deploy all 28 Tracking Layer satellites to achieve nearly global coverage, including the Indo-Pacific region.
The Department of Defense’s Space Development Agency purchased the first eight Tracking Layer satellites in 2020, four from L3Harris and four from a SpaceX–Leidos team.
The Space Development Agency planned to start buying the next batch of 28 Tracking Layer satellites in 2022 but no funding had been requested in the Pentagon’s budget.
Tyvak Nano Satellite Systems, Inc. was awarded a contract by Lockheed Martin to build 42 satellites for the Space Development Agency’s Tranche 1 Transport Layer.
The spending bill requires the Space Development Agency to use the $550,000,000 to demonstrate how the tracking satellites would protect U.S. forces in the Indo-Pacific region.
Lockheed Martin was awarded a contract by the Space Development Agency for the Tranche 1 Transport Layer of the National Defense Space Architecture.
York Space Systems received a $382,000,000 contract for 42 satellites from the Space Development Agency.
The Space Development Agency is planning a military megaconstellation in low Earth orbit that could number close to 1,000 spacecraft by 2026.
On 2022-02-28, the Space Development Agency awarded nearly $1,800,000,000 in contracts to Lockheed Martin, Northrop Grumman and York Space Systems to build 126 satellites.
The Space Development Agency was established in 2019 to buy satellites, sensors and integration services from commercial industry to build a military megaconstellation in low Earth orbit.
The 2022 defense spending bill requests clarification of the roles and responsibilities of senior civilian and uniformed leaders with space responsibilities and asks for an explanation of what space acquisition units do, including the Space Warfighting Analysis Center, Space Development Agency, Space Rapid Capabilities Office, and space programs in the Department of the Air Force Rapid Capabilities Office.
The approximately $1,300,000,000 Congress added for military space funds technology development projects run by the Space Force, pays for an extra Global Positioning System satellite, increases spending on small launch services, and increases funding for Space Development Agency missile-detecting satellites.
Appropriators added nearly $1,300,000,000 for U.S. Space Force and Space Development Agency projects above the Biden administration’s request for fiscal year 2022.
Congress inserted $550,000,000 for a demonstration of missile-tracking satellites to be developed by the Space Development Agency for U.S. Indo-Pacific Command.