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 plans to design and deploy large constellations of low-cost satellites in low Earth orbit to detect and track missiles and assist battlefield target finding.
The Pentagon’s 2021 budget includes $48,000,000 for Space Development Agency operations.
The Space Development Agency’s 2020 budget of $125,500,000 is less than two percent the size of the Space and Missile Systems Center’s annual budget.
The Space Development Agency’s 2020 budget is $125,500,000.
The 2020 National Defense Authorization Act directed the Space Development Agency to become part of the U.S. Space Force no later than 2022.
Fred Kennedy, former head of the Pentagon’s Space Development Agency, indicated that defense and intelligence agencies are eager to leverage the capabilities from small satellites and networks.
The NDAA directs that the Space Development Agency be moved from the oversight of the Undersecretary of Defense for Research and Engineering to the U.S. Space Force by 2022.
The Space Development Agency plans to expand the transport layer so that by 2024 it provides regional coverage with hundreds of satellites and by 2026 it provides global coverage.
The Space Development Agency decided its constellations will operate in low Earth orbit at higher altitudes between 800 km and 1,200 km above Earth.
The Pentagon’s Space Development Agency is soliciting pitches for technologies to build a network of satellites in low Earth orbit to help the military find ground targets and track enemy missiles in flight.
The Space Development Agency believes the industrial base is mature enough to build the initial transport layer over the next two years and then deliver one satellite per week to support other layers.
The Space Development Agency plans to build an initial constellation called a transport layer to locate targets on the ground and at sea and to track advanced missiles including hypersonic glide vehicles.
Congress directed in the 2020 National Defense Authorization Act that the Space Development Agency be moved to the U.S. Space Force no later than 2022.
By late 2022, the Space Development Agency planned to have several dozen satellites in orbit to demonstrate operation of a proliferated constellation and connectivity to weapon systems.
Congress appropriated $30,500,000 for Space Development Agency operations and maintenance, $20,000,000 for research and development, and $75,000,000 for technology prototyping in fiscal year 2020.
Appropriators reduced the administration’s funding request for the Space Development Agency for fiscal year 2020.
The spending agreement fully funds the Space Development Agency’s $20,000,000 request for research and development.
The $30,500,000 for Space Development Agency operations and maintenance is $14,200,000 less than the administration requested.
The $75,000,000 approved for Space Development Agency technology prototyping is $10,000,000 less than requested.
The spending agreement provides $30,500,000 for Space Development Agency operations and maintenance.