The Space Development Agency (SDA) is a

United States Space Force The United States Space Force (USSF) is the space force branch of the United States Department of Defense. It is one of the six United States Armed Forces, armed forces of the United States and one of the eight uniformed services of the Unite ...

direct-reporting unit tasked with deploying disruptive space technology.SDA.mi
About Us
One of the technologies being worked on is space-based missile tracking using large global

satellite constellation A satellite constellation is a group of artificial satellites working together as a system. Unlike a single satellite, a constellation can provide permanent global or near-global pass (spaceflight), coverage, such that at any time everywhere on E ...

s made up of industry-procured low-cost satellites.Brian Everstin
(22 Sep 2022) Why Space Force Wants Out Of GEO, Long Development Cycles
noMoreGeoSats. For the Space Force, last of the geosynchronous satellites. Gone by 2040 The SDA has been managed by the United States Space Force since October 2022.United States Space Force By February 2024 the SDA had 38 satellites on orbit.Audrey Decke
(30 Aug 2023) SDA readies second batch of satellites for its space data network
A test of

Link-16 Link 16 is a military tactical data link network used by NATO members and other nations, as allowed by the Multifunctional Information Distribution System, MIDS International Program Office (IPO). Its Technical standard, specification is part of ...

*Theresa Hitchen
(5 Sep 2023) SDA launches 13 more Tranche 0 data relay, missile tracking sats for 'warfighter immersion'
*Space
(2 Sep 2023) Space Development Agency’s Second Tranche 0 Mission
SDA intends to have at least 1,000 satellites in

low Earth orbit A low Earth orbit (LEO) is an geocentric orbit, orbit around Earth with a orbital period, period of 128 minutes or less (making at least 11.25 orbits per day) and an orbital eccentricity, eccentricity less than 0.25. Most of the artificial object ...

by 2026.

History

The Space Development Agency (SDA) was established in 2019 by Mike Griffin with his appointment to Under Secretary of Defense (R&E) by

President Donald Trump Donald John Trump (born June 14, 1946) is an American politician, media personality, and businessman who is the 47th president of the United States. A member of the Republican Party (United States), Republican Party, he served as the 45 ...

. Griffin was a long time advocate for

constellations to eliminate U.S. vulnerability to

ballistic missile A ballistic missile is a type of missile that uses projectile motion to deliver warheads on a target. These weapons are powered only during relatively brief periods—most of the flight is unpowered. Short-range ballistic missiles (SRBM) typic ...

s with his work on space-based interceptors for the

Strategic Defense Initiative The Strategic Defense Initiative (SDI) was a proposed missile defense system intended to protect the United States from attack by ballistic nuclear missiles. The program was announced in 1983, by President Ronald Reagan. Reagan called for a ...

and

Brilliant Pebbles Brilliant Pebbles was a space-based ballistic missile defense (BMD) system proposed by Lowell Wood and Edward Teller of the Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL) in 1987, near the end of the Cold War. The system would consist of thousan ...

in the 1980s. These programs, however, were discontinued in the 1990s due to high cost and political disagreement. Later, the United States and other countries developed

hypersonic weapon A hypersonic weapon is a weapon capable of maneuvering at hypersonic speed, defined as above Mach 5, or above 5 times the speed of sound. Below Mach 1, weapons would be characterized as subsonic, and above Mach 1, as supersonic. At extre ...

s, which Griffin argued were thermally dimmer and could only be reliably tracked by low-flying satellites with infrared sensors, creating a need to resurrect such programs. In addition to hypersonic weapons, the memorandum establishing the SDA also calls for a new space architecture "not bound by legacy methods or culture" that provides unifying command and control through a cross-domain

artificial intelligence Artificial intelligence (AI) is the capability of computer, computational systems to perform tasks typically associated with human intelligence, such as learning, reasoning, problem-solving, perception, and decision-making. It is a field of re ...

-enabled network.Secretary of Defense The Space Development Agency proposed the National Defense Space Architecture,(2022) National Defense Space Architecture (NDSA) Systems, Technologies, and Emerging Capabilities (STEC)
About UsNathan Strou
(1 Jul 2021) The Space Development Agency now has demo satellites on orbit. Here’s what they’ll do.
Transporter-2: Mandrake 2, the Laser Interconnect and Networking Communications System (LINCS), and the Prototype On-orbit Experimental Testbed (POET). Yam-3 for data fusion. Pitboss for Autonomous mission management. later renamed the Proliferated Warfighter Space Architecture. It advances a network of global orbiters composed of layers with different military capabilities such as communications, surveillance, global navigation, battle management, deterrence, and missile defense. The

is to be interconnected by free-space optical laser terminalsSandra Erwi
(28 Sep 2023) Mynaric optical terminals selected for Northrop Grumman satellites pass key tests
T1TL interop with CACI in a secure command and control

optical mesh network An optical mesh network is a type of Optical networking, optical telecommunications network employing wired fiber-optic communication or wireless free-space optical communication in a Mesh networking, mesh network architecture. Most optical mesh ...

. Satellites are to be low cost and "proliferated" in low Earth orbit. New commercial technology such as

reusable launch system A reusable launch vehicle has parts that can be recovered and reflown, while carrying payloads from the surface to outer space. Rocket stages are the most common launch vehicle parts aimed for reuse. Smaller parts such as fairings, boosters ...

s have reduced deployment costs and new mass-produced commercial satellites offer less "juicy" targets for

anti-satellite weapon Anti-satellite weapons (ASAT) are space weapons designed to incapacitate or destroy satellites for Military strategy, strategic or Military tactics, tactical purposes. Although no ASAT system has been utilized in warfare, a few countries (China, ...

s by being inexpensive and potentially hard to distinguish from other commercial satellites. Development is to follow the

spiral model The spiral model is a risk-driven software development process model. Based on the unique risk patterns of a given project, the spiral model guides a team to adopt elements of one or more process models, such as incremental, waterfall, or evolu ...

, incorporating learning from previous iterations and launching new satellite replacements regularly as the useful lifetime of each is relatively short. The SDA expects to field and maintain a constellation of at least 1,000 satellites on orbit by 2026. The SDA has mostly avoided flaws that plagued earlier proliferated missile defense programs such as

. The

Anti-Ballistic Missile Treaty The Anti-Ballistic Missile Treaty, also known as the ABM Treaty or ABMT, was an arms control treaty between the United States and the Soviet Union on the limitation of the anti-ballistic missile (ABM) systems used in defending areas against ball ...

was a major impediment in the past, as these systems were deemed non-compliant with the treaty by Congress. However,

George W. Bush George Walker Bush (born July 6, 1946) is an American politician and businessman who was the 43rd president of the United States from 2001 to 2009. A member of the Bush family and the Republican Party (United States), Republican Party, he i ...

withdrew the United States from the treaty in 2002, eliminating this barrier. Over the years, launch and manufacturing costs have been greatly reduced. Decades after the SDIO’s

DC-X The DC-X, short for Delta Clipper or Delta Clipper Experimental, was an uncrewed prototype of a reusable single-stage-to-orbit launch vehicle built by McDonnell Douglas in conjunction with the United States Department of Defense's Strategic D ...

failed there are now commercial

reusable launch vehicles A reusable launch vehicle has parts that can be recovered and reflown, while carrying payloads from the surface to outer space. Rocket stages are the most common launch vehicle parts aimed for reuse. Smaller parts such as fairings, boosters o ...

such as

SpaceX Space Exploration Technologies Corp., commonly referred to as SpaceX, is an America, American space technology company headquartered at the SpaceX Starbase, Starbase development site in Starbase, Texas. Since its founding in 2002, the compa ...

Falcon 9 Falcon 9 is a Reusable launch system#Partial reusable launch systems, partially reusable, two-stage-to-orbit, medium-lift launch vehicle designed and manufactured in the United States by SpaceX. The first Falcon 9 launch was on June 4, 2010, an ...

rocket. Meanwhile mass manufacturing as with

Starlink Starlink is a satellite internet constellation operated by Starlink Services, LLC, an international telecommunications provider that is a wholly owned subsidiary of American aerospace company SpaceX, providing coverage to around 130 countries ...

has proven the potential for lower satellite build costs. Political and administrative opposition to SDA came from 24th Secretary of the Air Force

Heather Wilson Heather Ann Wilson (born December 30, 1960) is the 11th President of the University of Texas at El Paso. She previously served as the 24th Secretary of the United States Air Force from 2017 through 2019, as the 12th president of the South Dak ...

who argued that "launching hundreds of cheap satellites into theater as a substitute for the complex architectures where we provide key capabilities to the warfighter will result in failure on America's worst day if relied upon alone." Members of Congress also gave concerns that SDA would drain resources and jobs from Air Force and questioned why DoD had to create a separate organization to circumvent its own procurement process. Despite the pushback, the Pentagon did not require congressional authorization to create the SDA, and Wilson was overruled by

Patrick M. Shanahan Patrick Michael Shanahan (born June 27, 1962) is an American businessman and the president and chief executive officer of Spirit AeroSystems. He is a former United States federal government official who served as the acting United States Secret ...

, who became acting defense secretary by appointment of

Donald Trump Donald John Trump (born June 14, 1946) is an American politician, media personality, and businessman who is the 47th president of the United States. A member of the Republican Party (United States), Republican Party, he served as the 45 ...

. He placed the new agency under the authority and control of Mike Griffin who was also appointed as Under Secretary of Defense (R&E). Despite these early successes, SDA still faces critical challenges. The

Union of Concerned Scientists The Union of Concerned Scientists (UCS) is a nonprofit science advocacy organization based in the United States. The UCS membership includes many private citizens in addition to professional scientists. Anne Kapuscinski, Professor of Environment ...

warned SDA could escalate tensions with Russia and China and called the project "fundamentally destabilizing". Both China and Russia brought concerns to the

United Nations The United Nations (UN) is the Earth, global intergovernmental organization established by the signing of the Charter of the United Nations, UN Charter on 26 June 1945 with the stated purpose of maintaining international peace and internationa ...

about the U.S. plans for militarization of space. The

Carnegie Endowment for International Peace The Carnegie Endowment for International Peace (CEIP) is a nonpartisan international affairs think tank headquartered in Washington, D.C., with operations in Europe, South Asia, East Asia, and the Middle East, as well as the United States. Foun ...

has advocated for better use of

arms control Arms control is a term for international restrictions upon the development, production, stockpiling, proliferation and usage of small arms, conventional weapons, and weapons of mass destruction. Historically, arms control may apply to melee wea ...

and

international agreements A treaty is a formal, legally binding written agreement between sovereign states and/or international organizations that is governed by international law. A treaty may also be known as an international agreement, protocol, covenant, convention ...

such as a treaty halting related development by all parties to prevent an

arms race An arms race occurs when two or more groups compete in military superiority. It consists of a competition between two or more State (polity), states to have superior armed forces, concerning production of weapons, the growth of a military, and ...

in space. Critics have reiterated longstanding concerns that ground-based lasers can easily "paint" satellites in low Earth orbit, temporarily blinding their sensors. The APS reporting the energy needed for this is very low. Likewise, RF jamming is simpler when communication and radar satellites are in lower altitudes as less power is needed to saturate their

low-noise amplifier A low-noise amplifier (LNA) is an electronic component that amplifies a very low-power signal without significantly degrading its signal-to-noise ratio (SNR). Any electronic amplifier will increase the power of both the signal and the noise pre ...

s. It is also far easier to launch an

to destroy satellites in low Earth orbit (as demonstrated with small ASM-135 or RIM-161 missiles) given much less energy is required to kinetically intersect than to enter and maintain orbit. An adversary would simply need to "punch a hole" in the constellation immediately before launching an attack.Sandra Erwin
(21 Dec 2017) New report slams idea of a missile defense shield in space
by Thomas Roberts, CSIS When the

Biden administration Joe Biden's tenure as the List of presidents of the United States, 46th president of the United States began with Inauguration of Joe Biden, his inauguration on January 20, 2021, and ended on January 20, 2025. Biden, a member of the Democr ...

took ownership of the program in 2021, they appeared to take heed of these concerns but still signed on to a $500M increase for the agency in the FY2023 spending bill.

The Heritage Foundation The Heritage Foundation (or simply Heritage) is an American Conservatism in the United States, conservative think tank based in Washington, D.C. Founded in 1973, it took a leading role in the conservative movement in the 1980s during the Presi ...

, a conservative think tank, dubbed the Space Development Agency "a model for the military". In their ''2025 Mandate for Leadership'', they call to develop new offensive space capabilities to "impose

merican ''Merican'' is an Extended play, EP by the American punk rock band Descendents, released February 10, 2004. It was the band's first release for Fat Wreck Chords and served as a pre-release to their sixth studio album ''Cool to Be You'', released ...

will if necessary". They further claim the Biden administration "has eliminated almost all offensive deterrence capabilities" in space that were planned under the Trump administration. In 2020, 13th Assistant Secretary of the Air Force for Acquisition, Technology and Logistics

Will Roper William B. Roper Jr. is an American physicist and foreign policy strategist who served as the 13th Assistant Secretary of the Air Force (Acquisition, Technology and Logistics), Assistant Secretary of the Air Force for Acquisition, Technology and L ...

expressed interest in the

satellite internet constellation A satellite internet constellation is a constellation of artificial satellites providing satellite internet service. In particular, the term has come to refer to a new generation of very large constellations (sometimes referred to as megacon ...

as a platform for the SDA.Same Skov
(13 Sep 2023) Navies face 'dreadnought' moment as Ukraine destroys more Russian warships, British admiral says
' "We're once again facing something completely new, a paradigm shift", the First Sea Lord said'. Starlink satellites can be jammed. SDA awarded its first contracts in August 2020.

Lockheed Martin The Lockheed Martin Corporation is an American Arms industry, defense and aerospace manufacturer with worldwide interests. It was formed by the merger of Lockheed Corporation with Martin Marietta on March 15, 1995. It is headquartered in North ...

received $188 million and York Space Systems received $94 million to each build 10 data relay satellites for its transport layer. In October 2020, SDA chose

and

L3Harris Technologies L3Harris Technologies, Inc. is an American technology company, defense contractor, and information technology service (economics), services provider that produces products for command and control systems, wireless equipment, tactical radios, avi ...

to develop four satellites each to detect and track ballistic and hypersonic missiles. The initial tranche of satellites were originally scheduled to launch September 2022. However, the initial launch slipped due to supply-chain issues for microelectronics such as radios, software problems, and protests by

Raytheon Raytheon is a business unit of RTX Corporation and is a major U.S. defense contractor and industrial corporation with manufacturing concentrations in weapons and military and commercial electronics. Founded in 1922, it merged in 2020 with Unite ...

and

Airbus Airbus SE ( ; ; ; ) is a Pan-European aerospace corporation. The company's primary business is the design and manufacturing of commercial aircraft but it also has separate Airbus Defence and Space, defence and space and Airbus Helicopters, he ...

over procurement and evaluation process. SDA industry partners now include

Northrop Grumman Northrop Grumman Corporation is an American multinational Aerospace manufacturer, aerospace and Arms industry, defense company. With 97,000 employees and an annual revenue in excess of $40 billion, it is one of the world's largest Arms industry ...

Ball Aerospace Ball Aerospace & Technologies Corp., commonly Ball Aerospace, was an American manufacturer of spacecraft, components and instruments for national defense, civil space and commercial space applications. Until 2024, the firm was a wholly owned subs ...

and

General Dynamics General Dynamics Corporation (GD) is an American publicly traded aerospace and defense corporation headquartered in Reston, Virginia. As of 2020, it was the fifth largest defense contractor in the world by arms sales and fifth largest in the Unit ...

. A number of experimental satellites were launched in 2021. SDA plans to test some of the key technologies in a series of on-orbit experiments that went up on Transporter-2: Mandrake 2, the Laser Interconnect and Networking Communications System (LINCS), and the Prototype On-orbit Experimental Testbed (POET). SDA's current schedule expects Tranche 0 capability will be on orbit in time to support a summer 2023 demonstration.Theresa Hitchen
(29 Mar 2023) Space Development Agency readies launch of first satellites for comms, missile tracking
Courtney Albo
(28 Apr 2023) How three space agencies are collaborating on next-gen missile warning

Link 16 Link 16 is a military tactical data link network used by NATO members and other nations, as allowed by the MIDS International Program Office (IPO). Its specification is part of the family of Tactical Data Links. Link 16 enables military aircra ...

connectivity between

Five Eyes The Five Eyes (FVEY) is an Anglosphere intelligence alliance comprising Australia, Canada, New Zealand, the United Kingdom, and the United States. These countries are party to the multilateral UKUSA Agreement, a treaty for joint cooperat ...

nations, via Low Earth Orbit Tranche 0 satellites was demonstrated from 21 November to 27 November 2023.Courtney Albo
(28 Nov 2023) Space Development Agency demonstrates Link 16 satellite connectivity
Theresa Hitchen
(28 Nov 2923) SDA demos first-ever space-to-ground Link 16 connection
Global coverage of missile launches will take 40 downward-looking satellites.Courtney Albo
(12 Apr 2024) Space Development Agency satellites poised to track first missile test
By year-end 2025 there will be 126 Link-16 satellites in orbit for intercommunication, using Tranche 1 Tracking capabilities.Theresa Hitchen
(18 Mar 2024) SDA’s data relay, missile tracking networks to be operational by end of 2025: Tournear
/ref> Tranche 2 Tracking capability will start in 2026. Tranche 1 satellites were solicited for bid in 2021,Theresa Hitchen
(27 Aug 2021) ''SDA Opens Contest For First Operational Constellation''
30 Aug 2021 RFP for Tranche 1 Transport Layer (T1TL) Jan 2022 expecting first launch in September 2024, and monthly launches thereafter.Greg Hadle
(5 Apr 2023) SDA’s Tournear 'Just Not' Afraid of Satellite Shootdowns. Supply Chain Is the Greater Worry.
: Tranche 1 detail; T1 DES (Demonstration and Experimentation System) detail; Tranche 2 detail;Courtney Albo
(10 Apr 2023) US Space Force to simplify timelines, purchases as launches surge
National Security Space Launch (NSSL Phase 3) FY25 to FY34 Tranche 1 totals more than 150 satellites: 126 in Tranche 1 Transport Layer; 35 in Tranche 1 Tracking Layer; 12 in the Tranche 1 Demonstration and Experimentation System. In 2022 contracts were awarded to York Space Systems, Lockheed Martin Space, and Northrop Grumman Space Systems. Tranche 2 satellites were solicited for bid in 2023,Theresa Hitchen
(6 Apr 2023) Space Development Agency readies first solicitation for 'global' data constellation
T2TL: 212 Transport Layer satellites for launch beginning in 2026 for launch in 2026. This consists of more than 550 satellites: 250 in the Transport Layer; 50 in the Tracking Layer; Transport Layer will have 100 Alpha satellites, 72 Beta satellites, and 44 Gamma satellites; The Beta satellites Request for Proposal (RFP) was released in the 2nd week of April. The Alpha RFP was released in June 2023 and Gamma is scheduled for early 2024. The Alpha satellites are similar to those in the Tranche 1 Transport Layer; the Beta satellites will have UHF and tactical communications payloads; the Gamma satellites will carry advanced waveform payloads.Patrick Tucke
(21 Aug 2023) Lockheed, Northrop share $1.5 billion contract for new transport satellites
Seventy-two satellites, which will begin launching in 2026, will be "the space backbone for the Joint All Domain Command and Control"; apparently the Beta Tranche 2 satellites. York Space Systems will build 62 satellites for the Tranche 2 Transport Layer.Courtney Albo
(20 Oct 2023) Space Development Agency orders 62 satellites from York Space Systems
Launch in 2026 for Tranche 2 Transport Layer In 2023 contracts for 72 satellites were awarded to Northrop Grumman and Lockheed Martin (for 36 Beta satellites apiece).Michael Sheet

Previous reporting was for 36 Northrop satellites rather than the 38 reported now; 62 satellites are confirmed for York.Carlo Munoz, ''Janes.com'
(1 Nov 2023) Pentagon awards USD1.3 billion for PWSA prototype development
Theresa Hitchen
(6 Sep 2023) SDA steps toward global hypersonic missile tracking, plus new targeting capability
at least 54 space vehicles with IR sensors for Tranche 2 Tracking Layer of the SDA's Proliferated Warfighter Space Architecture (PWSA). In 2024 a third vendor, Rocket Lab LLC, was selected to supply 18 space vehicles, an additional part of the Beta Tranche 2 Tracking Layer (T2TL) tranche, for a total of 90 space vehicles in the Beta T2TL tranche.SD
(8 Jan 2024) Space Development Agency Makes Third Award to Build 18 Additional Beta Variant Satellites for Tranche 2 Transport Layer
Rocket Lab LLC to make 18 space vehicles in beta tranche T2TL, part of a total of 90 space vehicles to be launched in the beta T2TL tranche by July 2027. On 16 January 2024, the SDA announced an award to three vendors worth up to $2.5 billion. These vendors will supply "preliminary fire control" satellites in the Tranche 2 Tracking Layer. They will carry infrared (IR)

camera A camera is an instrument used to capture and store images and videos, either digitally via an electronic image sensor, or chemically via a light-sensitive material such as photographic film. As a pivotal technology in the fields of photograp ...

s, with a mix of

fields of view The field of view (FOV) is the angular extent of the observable world that is seen at any given moment. In the case of optical instruments or sensors, it is a solid angle through which a detector is sensitive to electromagnetic radiation. It ...

(FOVs).Theresa Hitchen
(16 Jan 2024) SDA's latest Tracking Layer contract includes 6 'fire control' sats
... 'the "preliminary fire control" satellites in Tracking Layer Tranche 2 will carry a mix of wide-field-of-view and medium-field-of-view infrared cameras'Sandra Erwi
(16 Jan 2024) Space Development Agency awards contracts worth $2.5 billion for missile-tracking satellites
18 satellites apiece: L3Harris, Lockheed Martin and Sierra Space The FOVs in the IR cameras will be either wide FOV (WFOV), or medium FOV (MFOV) for low-resolution, or higher-resolution tracking capability respectively. If such a satellite were to prove performant, and launched early, and no later than April 2027, a vendor could receive an incentive payment. Each vendor is to provide 18 satellites, of which 16 are to carry WFOV cameras; the remaining two are to be MFOV cameras. The Proliferated Warfighter Space Architecture (PWSA) will rely on these preliminary fire control satellites to perform the JADC2 concept.Sandra Erwi
(13 Nov 2024) Kratos to develop ground system for U.S. missile defense satellites
/ref> Tranche 2 Tracking capability will start after the 2026 launches.

Projects and research

SDA satellites are the first to have direct-to-weapon control, as noted by SDA's technical director, Frank Turner. This capability allows for a seamless connection between the satellite data and weapon systems. The Beta satellites will attempt “extremely difficult” contacts with aircraft and missiles in flight, Turner said. Among the SDA projects: *"Optical communications between satellites, and from satellites to a military drone aircraft".Sandra Erwin Theresa Hitchen
(21 Jun 2021) SDA Demos Spotlight Tech Hurdles To JADC2 Backbone
5 payloads: Optical link, Sat to drone Including the CubeSat based

Laser Interconnect and Networking Communication System Laser Interconnect and Networking Communications System (LINCS) is a test of laser communication in space using two cubesats launched in June 2021. Background It was built by General Atomics for the United States Department of Defense, US DOD's Sp ...

(LINCS). * Provide a resilient, persistent response to ballistic missile detectionTheresa Hitchens
(21 January 2021) Austin Signals Shift Back To Focus On Space Resilience
Space Acquisition executiveSara Mineiro; Greg Hadle
(7 Jun 2022) Study: Combine Missile Warning, Tracking Constellations Into One Multi-Orbit System
Theresa Hitchens
(21 Sep 2022) Space Force phasing out missile warning from GEO, will focus on lower orbits
' "We'll do away with the GEOs, and the big, exquisite expensive satellites," said SDA Director Derek Tournear.' * Build the JADC2Colin Clar
(4 Jun 2021) SecDef OKs JADC2 Strategy: Now OSD Has ‘Teeth’
Approved 13 May 2021 satellite backboneTheresa Hitchens using the

National Defense Space Architecture The Space Development Agency (SDA) is a United States Space Force direct-reporting unit tasked with deploying disruptive space technology.SDA.miAbout Us One of the technologies being worked on is space-based missile tracking using large global s ...

( NDSA):Stew Magnuson (19 September 2019) battle-updates.com (8 Oct 2020) JADC2 confers on the US the capability to "move data globally at scale". —Gen.

Chance Saltzman Bradley Chance Saltzman (born June 30, 1969) is a United States Space Force General (United States), general who is the second and current chief of space operations. He served as the deputy chief of space operations for operations, cyber, and n ...

, US Space Force **The

s are in near-polar

. Hundreds of satellites are expected by the end of the 2020s. "Would you be able to take out some of these satellites? Probably. Would you be able to take out ''all of'' these satellites? Probably not, before you are going to have a really bad day."—Derek Tournear AUSA Warriors Corner (10.16.2019) ''Wall Street Journal'
(27 Oct 2022) Russia Warns of Possible Attacks on Satellites Used to Help Ukraine
** NExT (National Defense Space Architecture (NDSA) Experimental Testbed) is a test bed of 10 space vehicles and associated mission-enabling ground systems, for realizing its various aspects, in miniature, before its larger, later scheduled deployments. In particular, the capability to retain and/or relay messages for command and control (C2) can then be demonstrated on the NExT test bed, before deployment at scale.SD
(3 Jun 2022) SDA Seeks Industry Feedback through DRAFT Solicitation for NExT (National Defense Space Architecture (NDSA) Experimental Testbed)
10 space vehicles and associated mission-enabling ground systems *as reported by Courtney Albo
(16 Jun 2022) Space Development Agency plans for 'enduring' satellite experimentation testbed
/ref>Theresa Hitchens
(20 Jan 2023) SDA hopes SABRE sensors can slash missile testing costs by 'millions'
"SDA already has a lot of interest from the Army and DoD's testing community in its Space-Based Telemetry Monitoring, Electronic Support, and Alternative Navigation (SABRE) project" **Using the satellites of Tranche 0, the SDA will be demonstrating the new capabilities of the PWSA to the warfighters, to aid in concept development (using the "warfighter immersion tranche").Courtney Albo
(4 Apr 2023) Space Development Agency enters demonstration phase after first launch
Audrey Decke
(4 Apr 2023) Satellite Ground Stations Are Vulnerable, US Warns
**Rapid response launch proliferated C2;C Todd Lope
(2 May 2021) On-Time Delivery Top Priority at Space Development Agency
SDA remains the rapid launch proliferated arm for the Space Force.Theresa Hitchen
(28 Oct 2021) SDA Scraps, Relaunches Data Transport Satellite Bidding After Protest
Tranche 1: T1TL of Aug 2021 was rescinded: "126 satellites achwith Ka-band space-to-ground communications link, four optical communications terminals, a Link 16 payload (which is the current standard for machine-to-machine communications link among US and allied weapon systems), and a battle management, command, control and communications (BMC3) compute and storage module"; T1TL RFP was reissued 28 Oct 2021. T1TL terms were replaced with OTA authority instead. Proposals were due 24 Nov 2021. **#User equipment (

Earth station A ground station, Earth station, or Earth terminal is a terrestrial radio station designed for extraplanetary telecommunication with spacecraft (constituting part of the ground segment of the spacecraft system), or reception of radio waves fro ...

s and weapon systems)Andrew Eversde
(28 Jun 2022) Army moves ahead with Palantir and Raytheon for next phase of TITAN
SDA has selected the "ground Operations and Integration (O&I) segment for Tranche 1".Theresa Hitchens
(27 May 2022) Space Development Agency taps GD-Iridium team for complex ground system
The Advanced Fire Control Ground Infrastructure (AFCGI) program includes data from LEO satellites. **#Transport layer intersatellite dataSDA.mi
Transport layer
Tranche 1 Transport Layer (T1TL): T1TL forms a

mesh network A mesh network is a local area network topology in which the infrastructure nodes (i.e. bridges, switches, and other infrastructure devices) connect directly, dynamically and non-hierarchically to as many other nodes as possible and cooperate wit ...

in a constellation of small satellites in Low earth orbit (LEO). Each satellite would have 4 optical links. SDA may have awarded 3 contracts totalling $1.8 billion to 3 firms, each for 42 satellites to be launched by September 2024. However, there was a funding constraint in the FY2022 budget.Theresa Hitchen
(1 Mar 2022) Budget roadblock delaying Pentagon satellite program to track hypersonic missiles
$750 million in question in FY2022 budget. An alternative, Tranche 1 Demonstration and Experimentation System (T1DES) can be let for 18 satellites.Theresa Hitchens
(6 Oct 2022) York scores SDA contract worth up to $200M for experimental communications satellites
T1DES capabilities test (of UHF/S-band frequencies) using 12 satellites; provides data for a March 2023 decision on Tranche2Theresa Hitchen
(18 Feb 2022) SDA awards $1.8B in contracts for first operational data transport sats
Tranche 1 Transport layer (T1TL) award **#Tracking layer handles launched items,SDA.mi
Tracking layer
connects to existing user equipmentCourtney Albo
(2 Mar 2023) Raytheon to make seven missile-tracking satellites for US space agency
Tranche 1 Tracking LayerCourtney Albo
(15 Mar 2022) Space Development Agency to launch next missile warning satellites earlier than expected
Two contractors will each build 14 satellites for the Tranche 1 Tracking Layer as of 16 July 2022; these satellites will be in Low Earth Orbit (LEO) by 2025; hundreds of satellites are planned for the Tracking layer.Theresa Hitchens
(18 July 2022) L3Harris, Northrop score $1.3B in SDA hypersonic missile tracking contracts
The Tracking Layer is capable of tracking hypersonic missiles throughout their flight, by their heat signatures.David Vergun. DoD New
(11 May 2022) DOD Focused on Hypersonic Missile Defense Development, Admiral Says
Jon A. Hill: Planned May 2023 launch MDA/ SDA launch of interoperable hypersonic tracking satellites to track dim targets (cruise missiles)Center for Strategic & International Studie
(7 Feb 2022) Complex Air Defense: Countering the Hypersonic Missile Threat
Dr. Tom Karako, Director of the CSIS Missile Defense Project; Ms. Kelley Sayler, CRS; Dr. Gillian Bussey, Director of the Joint Hypersonics Transition Office; Dr. Mark Lewis, Executive Director of NDIA's Emerging Technologies Institute; Mr. Stan Stafira, Chief Architect at the Missile Defense Agency (MDA) **#Custody layerTheresa Hitchen
(7 Apr 2022) Space Force’s $1B for hypersonic missile tracking in FY23 will go to new satellites, ground systems
Track Custody Prototype (TCP), and MEO satellite constellations with ground stations handles items not yet launched from objects as big as a truck,SDA.mi
Custody layer
connects to existing user equipment **#Battle management ("autonomy, tipping and queuing and data fusion")Theresa Hitchens
(10 Nov 2022) Space Development Agency asks for satellite 'battle management system' proposals
"The on-board Battle Management, Command, Control and Communications ( BMC3) software module will be tested on SDA's Tranche 1 Transport Layer data relay satellites"Theresa Hitchen
(15 Dec 2021) NGA Gears Up For All Domain Ops
references tipping and queuing of the data sensors and sources of the NGA's intelligence communityTheresa Hitchen
(6 Apr 2023) SPACECOM ops head 'tired of the excuses' about satellite tracking gaps
a BMC3 problem; currently solvable in the

Space Surveillance Network The United States Space Surveillance Network (SSN) detects, tracks, catalogs and identifies artificial objects orbiting Earth, e.g. active/inactive satellites, spent rocket bodies, or fragmentation debris. The system is the responsibility of Uni ...

(SSN).Secretary of the Air Force Public Affair
(19 Sep 2022) Air Force taps Brig. Gen. Luke Cropsey to head new integrated C3 battle management program
Command, Control, Communications and Battle Management (C3BM). USAF general Cropsey will have the authorities required to ensure integration of all C3BM related programs throughout the DAF, as a core contribution to the Department of Defense's broader Joint All Domain Command and Control (JADC2) effort. ntegratingPEO will also have responsibility for the Advanced Battle Management System (ABMS).Michael Marro
(11 Jul 2023) 'Network-centric' security 'killing us' on JADC2 initiatives: USAF general
Cropsey on C3BMTheresa Hitchens
(14 Jul 2023) There goes my missile: SDA eyes new FOO Fighter missile defense 'fire control' sats
" 'Fire-Control On Orbit-Support-To-The-War Fighter (FOO Fighter or F2)' program" SDA 'plans to purchase and deploy' eight F2 space vehicles carrying electro-optical/infrared sensorsSandra Erwin
(18 Dec 2023) Space Force’s first six missile-defense satellites in medium orbit to cost about $500 million
counter ICBMs, hypersonic missile from MEO **#Navigation layer is not finalized, provides navigation & launch data **#Deterrence layer is

situational awareness Situational awareness or situation awareness, often abbreviated as SA is the understanding of an environment, its elements, and how it changes with respect to time or other factors. It is also defined as the perception of the elements in the envi ...

of cislunar space vehicles

Launches

SDA's initial launch of 10 satellites (denoted Tranche 0) had been scheduled for December 2022; however tests of 8 of these satellites indicated that each had a noisy power supply. The contractor, York Space Systems retrofitted filters on the 8 satellites at no cost to the government; the initial launch was delayed to March 2023, including the 8 retrofitted by York Space Systems.Courtney Albo
(2 Apr 2023) SpaceX rocket launches Space Development Agency’s first satellites
/ref> On 2 April 2023 the first 10 satellites of Tranche 0 were launched into low earth orbit, as planned. These satellites will demonstrate the responsive (low latency) communication links of the Transport layer of the Proliferated Warfighter Space Architecture (PWSA). An initial checkout of the satellite bus and mission payloads is the current priority. The second Tranche 0 launch, carrying 13 more satellites, took place on 2 September 2023. Of the 18 initially scheduled payloads one Transport satellite built by York has been excluded to conduct software tests, while the four Tracking satellites built by

L3Harris L3Harris Technologies, Inc. is an American technology company, defense contractor, and information technology services provider that produces products for command and control systems, wireless equipment, tactical radios, avionics and electroni ...

had been kept on the ground by production delays and were launched later as rideshare payloads of a USSF-124 mission in February 2024.

Management

SDA began as a direct reporting unit (DRU) of DoD's USD(R&E): research and engineering. By design,USD(R&E
(20 Nov 2020) DOD INSTRUCTION 5000.88: ENGINEERING OF DEFENSE SYSTEMS
the functions for acquisition and sustainment (A&S) are the responsibility of another under secretary of defense —the USD(A&S); this separation of function decouples the technology development of a working prototype system, even the systems as complicated as those taken on by the SDA, from overcomplication induced by the processes of the DoD. The SDA has relied heavily on "Section 804" Mid-Tier Acquisitions (MTAs) to avoid traditional defense procurement requirements. SDA has been able to forgo a number of reporting activities by breaking up larger programs into numerous two-year rapid fielding projects that each qualify as MTAs. Members of Congress and the

Government Accountability Office The United States Government Accountability Office (GAO) is an independent, nonpartisan government agency within the legislative branch that provides auditing, evaluative, and investigative services for the United States Congress. It is the s ...

have said this obfuscates costs and limits transparency. The FY23 omnibus appropriations act, signed by

President Joe Biden Joseph Robinette Biden Jr. (born November 20, 1942) is an American politician who was the 46th president of the United States from 2021 to 2025. A member of the Democratic Party, he served as the 47th vice president from 2009 to 2017 and re ...

on 29 December 2022, levies new reporting and certification requirements on the Pentagon regarding the use of MTAs and other rapid prototype programs. Industry participants such as

MITRE The mitre (Commonwealth English) or miter (American English; American and British English spelling differences#-re, -er, see spelling differences; both pronounced ; ) is a type of headgear now known as the traditional, ceremonial headdress of ...

Acquisition Chief Pete Modigliani have said the new requirements would "drastically impede DoD’s rapid acquisition abilities" for SDA and other programs.Theresa Hitchens
(6 Feb 2023) Oversight or overkill? DoD faces new congressional order to detail Mid-Tier Acquisitions
"While lawmakers worry over lack of oversight, MITRE's Pete Modilgiani tells Breaking Defense, 'The Middle Tier of Acquisition TApathway is one of DoD's most valuable tools to rapidly deliver capabilities ... to deter China’s threat' ".

Notes

References

{{United States Space Force Units and formations of the United States Space Force