Space Development Agency
Space Development Agency’s satellite contractors team up to deal with supply shortages
The Space Development Agency and its contractors have had to scramble to deal with parts shortages and other supply chain problems that have affected the entire space industry.
Military experiment demonstrates intersatellite laser communications in low Earth orbit
Two small satellites launched last summer by the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency successfully established an optical link during a nearly 40-minute test.
Iridium and General Dynamics submit joint bid for Space Development Agency contract
Communications satellite operator Iridum and General Dynamics Mission Systems submitted a joint bid to operate and manage the Space Development Agency’s low Earth orbit constellation.
Lockheed Martin proposes multi-layer space network for missile defense
DoD is spending billions of dollars on missile-warning space sensors located in geostationary and polar orbits, but there are no plans to connect them with new constellations that DoD plans to field in low and medium Earth orbits
Space Development Agency to accelerate deployment of missile-tracking satellites
The U.S. Space Force is requesting an additional $200 million in fiscal year 2023 to launch satellites for the Space Development Agency’s missile-tracking constellation.
War in Ukraine underscores need for missile defense upgrade
The war in Ukraine is demonstrating the rapid pace of change in modern warfare and underscoring the need for the enhanced missile defense capabilities, said Derek Tournear, director of the Pentagon's Space Development Agency.
York Space to triple satellite production to meet military and commercial demand
COLORADO SPRINGS – Air Force Secretary Frank Kendall, Space Development Agency Director Derek Tournear and other defense officials on April 4 toured the manufacturing facilities of Denver-based York Space Systems,…
On National Security | DoD’s internet-in-space a win for commercial space
The Space Development Agency is overseeing the Defense Department’s first major procurement of small satellites in low Earth orbit, a trend that has accelerated in the commercial industry as companies plan ever-larger megaconstellations.
DoD estimates $2.5 billion price tag for global constellation to track hypersonic missiles
A $550 million congressional add-on in 2022 would only be a down payment to kickstart the deployment of a 28-satellite constellation of infrared space sensors in low Earth orbit
Congress gives DoD more money for space, with caveats
Defense appropriators in the 2022 spending bill added nearly $1.3 billion for U.S. Space Force and Space Development Agency programs above what the Biden administration requested.
DoD space agency funds development of laser terminal that connects to multiple satellites at once
The Space Development Agency awarded BridgeComm and Space Micro a $1.7 million contract to demonstrate point-to-multipoint communications
Lockheed Martin, Northrop Grumman, York Space selected to build DoD’s internet-in-space constellation
The Space Development Agency announced Feb. 28 it awarded Lockheed Martin, Northrop Grumman and York Space Systems contracts worth nearly $1.8 billion to produce 126 satellites for a global communications network in low Earth orbit.
SDA seeks commercial Earth-observation data
The Defense Department’s Space Development Agency is looking for ways to rapidly acquire Earth observation data.
Space Development Agency experiment demonstrates on-orbit data processing
A data processor launched to orbit by the Space Development Agency has performed an early demonstration of autonomous data fusion in space.
Space Development Agency, General Atomics eye options after setback in laser comms experiment
After a setback in a laser communications experiment launched last June, the Space Development Agency and satellite manufacturer General Atomics are considering next steps.
Space and national security: What to expect in 2022
The Space Force stands on firmer political ground but is coming under pressure to deliver new technologies to counter threats from Russia and China. The Space Development Agency is counting down to the launch of its first operational satellites. And ULA is still waiting for Blue Origin to deliver engines for Vulcan’s maiden flight.
Space Force on track to absorb Space Development Agency this fall
The Space Development Agency, created in 2019 as a separate entity under the Office of the Secretary of Defense, will be transferred to the U.S. Space Force in October, the agency’s director confirmed Jan. 12.
L3Harris’ missile-tracking satellites pass critical design reviews
Missile-tracking satellites developed by L3Harris for the U.S. Missile Defense Agency and the Space Development Agency passed critical design reviews.
Honeywell and Skyloom to produce laser crosslinks for military and commercial satellites
Honeywell announced Dec. 15 it has teamed with telecommunications startup Skyloom to produce optical crosslink terminals for commercial and military satellites.
Space Development Agency to acquire 28 missile-tracking satellites to launch in late 2024
The Pentagon’s Space Development Agency is planning a new procurement of satellites that will be part of a global constellation of missile-tracking space sensors.
