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 awarded $193,500,000 to L3Harris to build four satellites.
The Space Development Agency issued a request for proposals on 2020-10-06 for launch services for the 28 satellites.
The Space Development Agency calls the constellation Tracking Layer Tranche 0.
The Space Development Agency wants all 28 satellites launched within six months starting around September 2022.
Space Development Agency awarded $149,000,000 to SpaceX to build four satellites.
Space Development Agency Director Derek Tournear plans to use multiple suppliers to avoid vendor lock in SDA programs.
L3Harris and SpaceX each received contracts to build four missile-warning satellites for the Space Development Agency.
The Space Development Agency is buying 20 communications satellites at about $14,000,000 apiece.
The Space Development Agency plans to buy hundreds more satellites in the coming years for its constellations.
The Space Development Agency is buying eight missile-warning satellites at about $43,000,000 per unit.
The Space Development Agency’s Tracking Layer spacecraft carry overhead persistent infrared (OPIR) sensors that are the most expensive part of the satellite.
The contracts announced 2020-10-05 are for the first eight satellites of the constellation the Space Development Agency is calling Tracking Layer Tranche 0.
The Space Development Agency awarded $193,500,000 to L3Harris to build four satellites to detect and track ballistic and hypersonic missiles.
The Space Development Agency awarded $149,000,000 to SpaceX to build four satellites to detect and track ballistic and hypersonic missiles.
The Space Force intends for the Space Systems Command to work together with existing organizations including the Space and Missile Systems Center, the Space Development Agency, and the Space Rapid Capabilities Office.
The Department of the Air Force, the Missile Defense Agency, the Space Development Agency, and others are planning to spend tens of billions of dollars pursuing various potential satellite constellations with a variety of sensor types, constellation sizes, and orbits ranging from proliferated low Earth to geosynchronous.
The Transport Layer is planned to eventually grow to hundreds of satellites and the Space Development Agency will develop additional layers for functions such as missile defense and targeting.
The Space Development Agency selected two contractors on 2020-08-31 to build the first batch of satellites for Transport Layer Tranche 0 four months after posting the final solicitation for bids.
Lockheed Martin is one of the two companies selected to build 10 satellites each for the Space Development Agency’s Transport Layer Tranche 0.
The Space Development Agency plans to have the first 20 Transport Layer satellites in orbit within two years at a price of about $15,000,000 per satellite.