Space Development Agency
Space Development Agency is now officially part of the Space Force
The Space Development Agency was officially transferred to the U.S. Space Force, Oct. 1.
DoD to end procurements of geosynchronous missile-warning satellites
The Pentagon plans to end procurements of very large geosynchronous Earth orbit (GEO) infrared satellites and transition to a proliferated architecture in lower orbits
L3Harris’ missile-tracking satellites will use a newly designed Maxar bus
Under a $700 million contract from the U.S. Space Development Agency, L3Harris will build 14 satellites using a new Maxar bus.
Space Development Agency’s first launch slips due to supply chain setbacks
The first launch of the Space Development Agency’s low Earth orbit satellites that had been scheduled for late September is slipping to no earlier than mid-December.
As DoD shifts to smaller satellites, rideshare questions emerge
Lawmakers in the 2023 NDAA recommended that the Space Force and Space Development Agency use a "common launch integrator" to manage rideshares
Maxar to supply 14 satellites for U.S. military missile-tracking constellation
Maxar Technologies announced Aug. 9 it was selected by L3Harris to manufacture 14 missile-detection satellites for the U.S. Space Development Agency.
Terran Orbital prioritizes work on SDA smallsats over PredaSAR
Small satellite manufacturer Terran Orbital reported increased revenues Aug. 9 as it ramps up work on satellites for the Space Development Agency, but is planning to sell stock as its cash reserves decline.
Space Development Agency to take another stab at space-to-aircraft laser communications
SDA is seeking proposals for a demonstration of laser communications between orbiting satellites and aircraft in flight
L3Harris to deliver five missile-warning satellites for 2023 launches
Five missile-detection satellites built by L3Harris under Pentagon contracts are projected to launch in 2023.
L3Harris, Northrop Grumman to build 28 missile-tracking satellites for U.S. Space Development Agency
The Space Development Agency awarded contracts to L3Harris Technologies and Northrop Grumman to each build 14 missile-tracking satellites.
Northrop Grumman selects Airbus to supply satellite buses for U.S. military constellation
Airbus U.S. Space and Defense will produce 42 satellite buses for the Space Development Agency's Transport Layer Tranche 1
DoD space agency to acquire 10 satellites for experiments in low Earth orbit
The Space Development Agency is looking to acquire as many as 10 satellites to host military payloads for experiments in low Earth orbit.
Redwire, MDA, to produce tactical communications antennas for military satellites
Redwire announced June 7 it won a contract to produce 42 tactical communications antennas for U.S. military satellites in low Earth orbit.
General Dynamics wins ground systems contract for Space Development Agency’s megaconstellation
General Dynamics Mission Systems won a $324.5 million contract to operate the ground systems and manage network operations of the Space Development Agency’s low Earth orbit constellation.
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.
