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 will retain its existing authorities to select contractors and hire staff after the realignment.
The Space Development Agency was created in 2019 as a separate entity under the Office of the Secretary of Defense.
The Space Development Agency plans to launch its first batch of Transport Layer satellites this fall and to procure additional satellites.
Under the planned realignment, the Space Development Agency will be part of the Space Force but will not be merged under the Space Systems Command.
The Space Development Agency is ramping up procurement of satellites for its low Earth orbit Transport Layer Tranche 1 constellation to provide communications services to the military.
The Space Development Agency selected L3Harris in December 2020 to build and launch four space vehicles to demonstrate the capability to detect and track ballistic and hypersonic missiles.
The Space Development Agency in October 2020 selected L3Harris and SpaceX to each produce four satellites to demonstrate the capability to detect and track ballistic and hypersonic missiles.
The Space Development Agency approved L3Harris’s satellite design for the Tracking Layer Tranche 0 constellation.
Honeywell is working with Skyloom to qualify laser communications terminals for the Pentagon’s Space Development Agency.
The Space Development Agency plans to build a constellation of hundreds of satellites in low Earth orbit that will be optically linked to other satellites, to ground stations, and to military aircraft.
The Space Development Agency plans to deploy a large network of communications and missile-warning satellites in low Earth orbit.
SDA intends to procure Tracking Tranche 1 space vehicles from up to two vendors.
The Transport Layer constellation is also being built by the Space Development Agency.
The Space Development Agency planned to request funding for Tracking Layer Tranche 1 in fiscal year 2023.
The Space Development Agency is using Other Transaction Authority contracts to procure both Tracking Layer Tranche 1 satellites and Transport Layer satellites.
The Space Development Agency is working with the Missile Defense Agency on infrared sensor technology for detection of missile threats in low Earth orbit.
The Space Development Agency is seeking to buy 28 satellites for the constellation known as Tracking Layer Tranche 1.
The Department of Defense requested $936,700,000 in 2022 for the Space Development Agency, about a $600,000,000 increase from 2021.
The Space Development Agency plans to launch 20 satellites and procure an additional 126 over the coming year.
The Space Development Agency is ramping up procurement of satellites for its low Earth orbit Transport Layer Tranche 1 constellation, which is intended to provide communications services to the military.