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.
L3Harris won a $193,500,000 contract from SDA in October to produce four missile-tracking satellites with wide-field-of-view sensors.
The Space Development Agency is developing a constellation of satellites with wide-field-of-view sensors designed to work together in a network to detect and track targets.
The Space Development Agency advocates that stable funding is key to maintaining schedules and delivering planned capabilities.
The Space Development Agency plans a projected next batch of 150 satellites to launch in 2024.
SpaceX is producing four wide-field-of-view missile-tracking satellites for SDA under a $149,000,000 contract awarded in October.
The Space Development Agency has a $900,000,000 budget.
The Space Development Agency was established by the Defense Department in 2019 with the sole mission to accelerate the procurement of space capabilities and tap into commercial-sector innovation.
The Space Development Agency plans to launch its first 28 satellites to low Earth orbit in fall 2022, consisting of 20 satellites for a mesh communications network called the Transport Layer and eight missile-detecting sensor satellites for the Tracking Layer.
The Space Development Agency will no longer procure launches commercially and will buy launch services through the National Security Space Launch program.
The National Reconnaissance Office is working with the Pentagon’s Space Development Agency to leverage the communications constellation the agency is developing.
The Space Development Agency procured launch services to deploy a batch of 28 satellites in late 2022 via a competitive bidding process that resulted in SpaceX winning the contract.
The Space Development Agency, the Missile Defense Agency, the U.S. Space Force, and the National Reconnaissance Office are seeking to deploy proliferated constellations in low Earth orbit.
Northrop Grumman developed an infrared camera called the Prototype Infrared Payload (PIRPL) that is flying on the NG-16 Cygnus for the Missile Defense Agency and Space Development Agency.
The deal between SpaceLink and Blue Marble Communications is valued at more than $10,000,000 and includes technological evolution and purchase of terminals for intersatellite links compatible with Space Development Agency standards.
The Missile Defense Agency and the Space Development Agency will use PIRPL to test technologies for future missile tracking satellites.
PIRPL was procured under a $13,800,000 contract from the Space Development Agency and the Missile Defense Agency.
The Space Development Agency will use PIRPL’s infrared data to develop thermal sensors intended to detect hypersonic missiles and other advanced weapons in flight.
The Space Development Agency is a Defense Department agency building a large constellation of small communications satellites in low Earth orbit called the Transport Layer.
The Space Development Agency will seek bids later 2021 for up to 150 satellites for the Transport Layer Tranche 1 projected to start launching in late 2024.
Future Space Development Agency launches will be procured from either United Launch Alliance or SpaceX under the National Security Space Launch program.