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 seeking a homogeneous constellation design with all space vehicles equipped with baseline mission payloads.
The Space Development Agency plans to award multiple contracts for the Tranche 1 procurement to create an open marketplace where vendors can compete for orders.
The Space Development Agency expects the Tranche 1 Transport Layer constellation to include tens of satellites at 1,0 m altitude in each plane.
The Space Development Agency intends to buy 150 satellites to be launched in late 2024.
Satellites for the Space Development Agency's Tranche 1 must have optical inter-satellite links and the ability to establish and maintain at least three optical links concurrently, with an objective of five or more.
The Space Development Agency has acquired 28 satellites for its Tranche 0 constellation.
The Space Development Agency expects the Tranche 1 Transport Layer constellation to feature six near-polar circular planes.
The Space Development Agency expects the Tranche 1 constellation to be deployed in six near-polar circular orbital planes with tens of satellites at approximately 1,0 m altitude in each plane.
The Space Development Agency is seeking industry feedback on industry’s ability to support a homogeneous constellation design to provide the full suite of Tranche 1 Transport Layer capabilities.
Per the fiscal year 2021 National Defense Authorization Act, the Space Development Agency will transfer from the Department of Defense to the U.S. Space Force on 2022-10-01, as a unit aligning directly to the Chief of Space Operations.
Upon transfer to the U.S. Space Force, the Space Development Agency will receive acquisition authorities from the Service Acquisition Executive and will receive select administrative and integration support from Space Systems Command.
The Space Rapid Capabilities Office at Kirtland Air Force Base and the Pentagon’s Space Development Agency will not be part of Space Systems Command but will work closely with the new command.
The Space Development Agency was established in 2019 and plans to deploy a network of low-orbiting satellites by 2022 using commercial products from nontraditional suppliers.
The Space Development Agency will procure satellites by buying batches from multiple vendors rather than selecting a single manufacturer to supply an entire constellation.
The Space Development Agency is planning to launch hundreds of satellites.
The Space Development Agency plans to buy batches of satellites from different vendors rather than select a single manufacturer to build an entire constellation.
LeoStella sees opportunities to compete for Space Development Agency contracts because the SDA plans to buy satellite batches from multiple commercial vendors.
The Space Development Agency is planning to launch hundreds of satellites.
TESAT will provide the ConLCT80 laser communication terminal for the Space Development Agency’s Transport Layer Tranche 0 LEO constellation.
Lockheed Martin Space awarded TESAT a contract for the Space Development Agency’s Transport Layer Tranche 0 program.