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 spending agreement approves $75,000,000 for Space Development Agency technology prototyping.
The space acquisition executive will oversee and direct the Space and Missile Systems Center, the Space Rapid Capabilities Office, and the Space Development Agency.
The Space Development Agency’s immediate priorities include developing a mesh network of low Earth orbit satellites to provide secure communications and a constellation of surveillance satellites to track advanced hypersonic glide weapons.
The continuing resolution and congressional impasse over the fiscal year 2020 budget are delaying Space Development Agency projects and affecting the agency’s operations.
One goal of the Space Development Agency is to deploy large numbers of low-orbiting satellites as a proliferated low Earth orbit constellation equipped with sensors to detect hypersonic missiles and other advanced weapons.
The Pentagon’s 2020 budget requested nearly $150,000,000 for the Space Development Agency, including $44,700,000 for personnel, $20,000,000 for space research and development, and $85,000,000 for space technology prototyping.
Derek Tournear was named permanent director of the Space Development Agency on 2019-10-28.
The Space Development Agency was established in March 2019.
The Space Development Agency will accelerate the acquisition of space systems partly by using commercially developed technology.
Congress had not yet approved the Pentagon’s requested 2020 funding for the Space Development Agency because federal spending bills for 2020 had not been passed.
In a draft fiscal year 2021 budget proposal under review by Department of Defense leaders, the Space Development Agency seeks nearly $11,000,000,000 over five years to plan, design, and deploy large constellations of satellites for military use.
Fred Kennedy helped draft the memo establishing the Space Development Agency prior to Mike Griffin tapping him to lead the organization.
Fred Kennedy estimated that Space Development Agency funding needs on the order of $1,000,000,000 to $3,000,000,000 per year and referenced a $10,600,000,000 figure over five years.
The Army will work with the Pentagon’s Space Development Agency, which plans to develop a large communications constellation in LEO known as a transport layer.
In March, the Pentagon formally established the Space Development Agency to develop, demonstrate, and experiment with technologies and architectures aimed at leapfrogging current space systems.
Fred Kennedy formerly directed DARPA’s Tactical Technology Office prior to taking the helm at the Space Development Agency.
The Space Development Agency requests $18,000,000 in 2021 and $232,000,000 over five years for a custody layer to track targets on the ground.
The Space Development Agency requests $39,000,000 in 2021 and $1,800,000,000 over five years for the tracking layer.
The Space Development Agency requests $16,000,000 in 2021 and $3,600,000,000 over five years to begin the transport layer.
The Space Development Agency seeks more than $11,000,000,000 over five years to plan, design, and deploy large constellations of satellites for military use.