Space Development Agency
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.
DoD space agency making contingency plans in case Congress doesn’t pass a budget
The Space Development Agency’s plans to launch 20 satellites and procure an additional 126 over the coming year could be derailed if Congress doesn’t pass a budget when temporary funding expires in February, SDA director Derek Tournear said Dec. 6.
Analysis: DoD ‘pivot to LEO’ a win for commercial satellite industry
The U.S. Defense Department’s interest in low Earth orbit space services is a positive for satellite manufacturers and for commercial operators of broadband constellations, says a new report by the market research firm Quilty Analytics.
Space Development Agency a potential ‘path to market’ for commercial satellite imagery
The Space Development Agency would allow satellite imagery vendors to send data directly to DoD transport satellites.
Capella to install optical terminals on imaging satellites to share data with DoD space agency
Capella Space will begin installing optical communications terminals on synthetic-aperture radar (SAR) satellites in 2022 as part of a campaign to quickly deliver data to the Space Development Agency.
Space Development Agency to release new solicitation for constellation ground segment
The Space Development Agency in early 2022 will seek bids for the ground segment portion of its low-Earth orbit constellation.
Space Development Agency’s request for bids challenged for ‘risk’ imposed on contractors
Maxar Technologies decided to challenge a Defense Department procurement of 126 satellites because of the financial burden the program imposed on contractors, the company said.
DoD space agency changes course on satellite procurement in wake of Maxar’s protest
In response to a protest filed by Maxar Technologies, the Defense Department’s Space Development Agency is canceling a solicitation issued Aug. 30 seeking bids for 144 satellites and will start over with a new procurement.
Maxar files protest over Space Development Agency’s satellite procurement
Maxar Technologies filed a protest with the Government Accountability Office Oct. 8 challenging a Space Development Agency solicitation seeking industry bids for 126 satellites.
Space Development Agency seeks proposals for 18 satellites with experimental payloads
The Space Development Agency on Oct. 8 issued a draft request for bids for 18 satellites that will carry experimental payloads.
DoD trying to keep China from accessing critical U.S. space technology
Chinese investments in U.S. space startups and use of Chinese software by DoD suppliers are issues of growing concern at the Pentagon, officials said.
Space Development Agency revises Transport Layer procurement, with fewer satellites per launch
The Space Development Agency revised a request for proposals that previously had sought bids for 144 satellites. It is now seeking proposals for 126 satellites, and will procure the other 18 at a later time.
L3Harris’ missile-tracking satellites pass early design review
L3Harris announced Sept. 20 that the Space Development Agency has approved the company’s proposed design for a missile tracking satellite.
L3Harris opens manufacturing facility in Indiana for DoD missile-defense satellites
L3Harris Technologies on Sept. 16 opened a classified facility in Fort Wayne, Indiana, where the company will assemble and test satellites for U.S. missile-defense programs.
Op-ed | While satellites are cool, military space networks must focus on interoperability
How satellites are stitched together in a highly complex, multi-band and multi-network system needs to be at the forefront of SDA's Transport Layer discussion. .
Space Development Agency to acquire 144 satellites from multiple vendors
The Defense Department’s space agency on Aug. 30 released a request for proposals from satellite manufacturers that would compete for contracts to build as many as 144 satellites.
Global microelectronic shortages trickle down to military satellite programs
Defense Department satellite programs are feeling the effects of the widespread microchip shortage that has stymied carmakers and consumer electronic manufacturers.
The Pentagon’s hyperfocus on hypersonic missile threat
The deployment of sensor satellites in low Earth orbit to fill blind spots in the U.S. missile defense system is finally moving from the drawing board to actual space hardware.
After negotiations, Space Development Agency was able to get reduced pricing for national security launch
SDA Director Derek Tournear said initially he did not want to use NSSL because it’s significantly more expensive than commercial launches but worked out an agreement with the Space Force to get the cost reduced
Kendall reorganizes Space Force acquisition office, wants faster merger with Space Development Agency
Air Force Secretary Frank Kendall announced Aug. 24 he is reorganizing the office that oversees Space Force acquisition programs.
