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 chairman’s mark reduces 2021 operations funding for the Space Development Agency from $48,100,000 to $36,100,000.
The Space Development Agency funding reduction includes a $7,000,000 cut from studies and a $5,000,000 reduction attributed to unjustified growth.
The chairman’s mark cuts funding for the Space Development Agency by $12,000,000 in the 2021 NDAA draft.
The Space and Missile Systems Center plans to work closely with the Space Development Agency on the space transport layer and space tracking layer and to support the SDA’s ground segment and launch needs.
The Senate version of the 2021 National Defense Authorization Act requires the Space Development Agency to be transferred from the Office of the Secretary of Defense to the Space Force by 2022-10-01, or earlier.
Congress directed the Department of Defense to move the Space Development Agency to the U.S. Space Force by 2022.
Mike Griffin pushed to delay the transfer of the Space Development Agency on the grounds that the agency needs time to deploy its first constellation of satellites before a major reorganization.
The Department of Defense has tasked the Space Development Agency with providing a transport layer of satellites in low Earth orbit to serve as the future communications backbone for the military’s command-and-control networks.
The Department of Defense stood up the Space Development Agency in March 2019 under Mike Griffin’s office.
The Space Development Agency must be transferred from the Office of the Secretary of Defense to the U.S. Space Force by 2022-10-01 or earlier.
The 2021 draft National Defense Authorization Act is heavy on nuclear weapons policy and missile defense and raises questions about the Department of Defense’s use of commercial space technology, its acquisition strategy for satellite-based communications, and the future plans of the Space Development Agency.
Congress directed the Department of Defense to transfer the Space Development Agency to the U.S. Space Force by October 2022.
Space Development Agency Director Derek Tournear argued that the SDA needs at least two years to demonstrate its business model before being merged with the U.S. Space Force.
The Space Development Agency plans to create sensor and communications layers to provide persistent, low-latency tracking and targeting.
Air Force Secretary Barbara Barrett supports consolidating space programs under the U.S. Space Force and is pushing for the Space Development Agency to be realigned sooner than 2022.
Congress directed the Department of Defense to transfer the Space Development Agency to the Space Force by 2022-10-01.
The Department of Defense has committed to transferring the Space Development Agency to the Space Force by 2022-10-01.
The Space Development Agency and the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency will test optical communications terminals that use lasers to beam data across space.
The Space Development Agency included in a request for proposals that optical inter-satellite links are one of the most critical technologies required to be demonstrated for Tranche 0.
The Space Development Agency plans to buy optical terminals from multiple vendors and is asking bidders to ensure their hardware is interoperable with other vendors' systems.