Polaris Intelligence
Polaris
Intelligence
AboutNational IntelligenceOrganizationsProductsMissionsVehiclesSpacecraftConstellationsForecastsLatest Information
Explore
© Polaris Intelligence 2026Admin

U.S. Space Development Agency (SDA)

US
gov defenseFounded 2019
United States
Admin Edit

All verified mentions of this organization in source documents.

The Space Development Agency has a $900,000,000 budget.

Mentioned as: U.S. Space Development Agency (SDA)Narrative FinancialAug 25, 2021Space Development Agency’s policy chief: ‘Our focus is maintaining our rapid schedule’

SDA plans to launch the eight sensor satellites built by L3Harris and SpaceX in 2023 for a demonstration of its tracking layer.

Mentioned as: U.S. Space Development Agency (SDA)Org RelationshipAug 25, 2021The Pentagon’s hyperfocus on hypersonic missile threat

The Space Development Agency procured launch services to deploy a batch of 28 satellites in late 2022 via a competitive bidding process that resulted in SpaceX winning the contract.

Mentioned as: U.S. Space Development Agency (SDA)Org RelationshipAug 24, 2021After negotiations, Space Development Agency was able to get reduced pricing for national security launch

The National Reconnaissance Office is working with the Pentagon’s Space Development Agency to leverage the communications constellation the agency is developing.

Mentioned as: Space Development AgencyOrg RelationshipAug 24, 2021NRO Director highlights cooperation and innovation

The Space Development Agency will no longer procure launches commercially and will buy launch services through the National Security Space Launch program.

Mentioned as: U.S. Space Development Agency (SDA)Narrative PlanAug 24, 2021After negotiations, Space Development Agency was able to get reduced pricing for national security launch

The Space Development Agency, the Missile Defense Agency, the U.S. Space Force, and the National Reconnaissance Office are seeking to deploy proliferated constellations in low Earth orbit.

Mentioned as: Space Development AgencyTechnical ProductAug 19, 2021Space surveillance sensor supplier Geost acquired by private equity firm

The deal between SpaceLink and Blue Marble Communications is valued at more than $10,000,000 and includes technological evolution and purchase of terminals for intersatellite links compatible with Space Development Agency standards.

Mentioned as: U.S. Space Development Agency (SDA)Narrative FinancialAug 10, 2021For The Furtherance Of Advanced Optical Terminals, SpaceLink + Blue Marble Communications Join Forces

Northrop Grumman developed an infrared camera called the Prototype Infrared Payload (PIRPL) that is flying on the NG-16 Cygnus for the Missile Defense Agency and Space Development Agency.

Mentioned as: Space Development AgencyTechnical ProductAug 10, 2021Antares launches NG-16 Cygnus space station cargo spacecraft

The Missile Defense Agency and the Space Development Agency will use PIRPL to test technologies for future missile tracking satellites.

Mentioned as: U.S. Space Development Agency (SDA)Narrative PlanAug 10, 2021Antares launches NG-16 Cygnus space station cargo spacecraft

SDA’s Tracking Layer satellites are planned to operate in low Earth orbits at about 966 km altitude.

Mentioned as: U.S. Space Development Agency (SDA)Technical ProductAug 9, 2021DoD experiment flying to International Space Station to collect data for missile-tracking sensors

The Space Development Agency will use PIRPL’s infrared data to develop thermal sensors intended to detect hypersonic missiles and other advanced weapons in flight.

Mentioned as: Space Development AgencyTechnical ProductAug 9, 2021DoD experiment flying to International Space Station to collect data for missile-tracking sensors

PIRPL was procured under a $13,800,000 contract from the Space Development Agency and the Missile Defense Agency.

Mentioned as: U.S. Space Development Agency (SDA)Org RelationshipAug 9, 2021DoD experiment flying to International Space Station to collect data for missile-tracking sensors

The Space Development Agency is a Defense Department agency building a large constellation of small communications satellites in low Earth orbit called the Transport Layer.

Mentioned as: Space Development AgencyTechnical ProductJul 27, 2021NSSL to undertake launch services for Space Development Agency satellites

The Space Development Agency awarded SpaceX a $150,400,000 contract to launch its first 28 satellites in 2022 and 2023.

Mentioned as: U.S. Space Development Agency (SDA)Org RelationshipJul 27, 2021NSSL to undertake launch services for Space Development Agency satellites

The Space Development Agency will seek bids later 2021 for up to 150 satellites for the Transport Layer Tranche 1 projected to start launching in late 2024.

Mentioned as: U.S. Space Development Agency (SDA)Org RelationshipJul 27, 2021NSSL to undertake launch services for Space Development Agency satellites

The Space Development Agency is building a large constellation of small communications satellites in low Earth orbit known as the Transport Layer.

Mentioned as: Space Development AgencyTechnical ProductJul 26, 2021SpaceX or ULA to launch future Space Development Agency satellites

The Space Development Agency intends to remove contractor-procured launch services language from the final request for proposals for Transport Layer Tranche 1.

Mentioned as: U.S. Space Development Agency (SDA)Org RelationshipJul 26, 2021SpaceX or ULA to launch future Space Development Agency satellites

The Space Development Agency will seek bids later 2021 for up to 150 satellites for the Transport Layer Tranche 1.

Mentioned as: U.S. Space Development Agency (SDA)Org RelationshipJul 26, 2021SpaceX or ULA to launch future Space Development Agency satellites

Space Development Agency launch services will be procured under the National Security Space Launch program run by the U.S. Space Force.

Mentioned as: Space Development AgencyOrg RelationshipJul 26, 2021SpaceX or ULA to launch future Space Development Agency satellites

For the Transport Layer Tranche 1, the Space Development Agency initially planned to allow satellite prime contractors to procure launch services under commercial contracts.

Mentioned as: U.S. Space Development Agency (SDA)Org RelationshipJul 26, 2021SpaceX or ULA to launch future Space Development Agency satellites
Page85of118