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.
Space Development Agency satellites on Transporter 2 were designed and built with government and industry partners to gather data on optical communication terminal (OCT) performance and processing in Low Earth Orbit.
The Space Development Agency has a launch scheduled for 2021-06-25 for its first satellite mission.
SpaceX named Microsoft as a subcontractor on a $149,000,000 contract to build missile-detection satellites for the Pentagon’s Space Development Agency.
The Space Development Agency is building a network of surveillance sensor satellites called the Tracking Layer to detect and track missiles that could be aimed at U.S. forces.
The Space Development Agency is interested in working with operators of electro-optical, radar imaging, and other observation satellites to add optical crosslinks that can interface with the Transport Layer.
The U.S. Space Development Agency has five satellites riding on SpaceX’s Transporter-2 rideshare mission scheduled to launch 2021-06-25.
The Space Development Agency invested about $21,000,000 in the experiments flying on the Transporter-2 launch.
The Space Development Agency seeks to work with commercial imaging satellite operators to enable direct data transfers to U.S. government satellites in orbit.
The Space Development Agency plans to use commercial satellite imagery to help track missile targets.
The Space Development Agency is building a network of data-relay satellites in low Earth orbit called the Transport Layer.
The Space Development Agency is developing a Tracking Layer of sensor satellites to detect and track missiles.
General Atomics won a $6 million grant to conduct a space-to-air optical communication experiment with the U.S. Space Development Agency.
The Space Development Agency is developing a Transport Layer of data-relay satellites.
Capella Space received a $3,000,000 research contract in support of the Space Development Agency’s National Defense Space Architecture.
Entities such as the U.S. Space Development Agency and NASA are planning to utilize optical SATCOM technology.
Capella Space received a $3,000,000 research contract from the Space Development Agency on 2021-06-14.
The Space Development Agency is developing a Transport Layer of data-relay satellites and a Tracking Layer of sensor satellites to detect and track missiles.
The Space Development Agency procured its first satellites for the National Defense Space Architecture program in 2024.
The $15,300,000,000 in proposed 2022 space technology investments includes $900,000,000 for Space Development Agency unclassified RDT&E and procurement.
The Space Development Agency is seeking industry feedback on its approach to procure the next tranche of up to 150 satellites, each equipped with optical links.