SDA misses self-imposed deadline on orbital mesh network
“We are behind on that. We should be there already,” Space Development Agency Director G.P. Sandhoo said bluntly.
SDA hopes to bring satellite laser links into use within next 6 months
The Space Development Agency is taking a "strategic pause" in launching its Tranche 1 data relay and missile tracking satellites to work out the kinks discovered in the 42 birds already on orbit, according to SDA Director GP Sandhoo.
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Why Bigger Fences Aren’t Enough in the Age of Drones
Traditional thinking about how to protect facilities must adapt to new threats such as drones or downstream attacks.
SDA must be ‘more realistic’ about real risks in pricey satellite Tracking Layer effort: GAO
The Space Development Agency told Breaking Defense it "disagreed with the specifics of many of the report’s assertions," but promised to "work through" its recommendations.
SDA taps Starfish for first-of-its-kind satellite disposal service
Starfish will commence with launch of the Otter vehicle in 2027, Trevor Bennett, the firm's cofounder, told Breaking Defense.
Space Development Agency launches first ‘operational’ satellites for data relay
The 21 satellites lofted today on a SpaceX Falcon 9 were all built by York Space Systems and provide Link 16 and K-band communications.
EXCLUSIVE: SDA eyeing airborne target tracking satellites demonstration, says Tournear
"I would say that we are at the point now where the technology has matured and it's commoditized, so that radar based AMTI from space is feasible," outgoing SDA Director Derek Tournear told Breaking Defense in an exclusive interview.
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Support for Patriot air-and-missile defense is a case study for the industrial base
Manufacturing scale, global sustainment, and next-gen tech are becoming inseparable.
EXCLUSIVE: Space Development Agency Director Derek Tournear steps down
In an exclusive interview with Breaking Defense, outgoing SDA Director Derek Tournear said the agency's three biggest technological successes have been proving the viability of space-based Link 16; missile tracking from LEO; and low-cost laser links.
SDA again postpones launch of first ‘operational’ data relay, missile warning satellites
SDA originally had hoped to begin launching the Tranche 1 Transport and Tracking Layer constellations for its Proliferated Warfighter Space Architecture stationed in low Earth orbit in September 2024.
Too soon? GAO questions tech readiness of satellite laser links
The Space Development Agency "has taken steps to develop laser communications technology but has not yet fully demonstrated it in space," finds a report released today by the Government Accountability Office.
Space Force team mapping service’s contributions to Iron Dome missile shield
"We are leaning forward establishing this technical IPT to try to pull together all of the systems and start thinking about it from an overarching perspective," Chief of Space Operations Gen. Chance Saltzman said.
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Biodefense is force protection: Ready today, prepared for tomorrow
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In response to Viasat suit, SDA will recompete 10-satellite award to Tyvak
The court filings do not provide a proposed schedule for the new bid process, but do reveal that it will be managed by officials who were not involved in overseeing the original contract awards.
SDA asks industry to propose 60-day studies of ‘novel’ capabilities for Iron Dome
The SDA call for studies on speeding HBTSS "missile defense capabilities" is interesting, as its wording differs somewhat from language in an earlier solicitation from the Missile Defense Agency for proposals that appears to refer to an HBTSS satellite constellation.
EXCLUSIVE: DoD memo seeks review of Space Development Agency’s independent status, plans
The memo calls into question whether the Space Development Agency's approach to its Proliferated Warfighter Space Architecture is meeting warfighter needs.
Exclusive: Here’s who Hegseth may task to put together Trump’s Iron Dome plan
Under the draft, by Feb. 28 the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, DoD components, military departments, combatant commands and the Missile Defense Agency (MDA) are to put together three "scalable reference architectures" for "small, medium and large options" for the shield using "kinetic and non-kinetic" weapon systems, including costs.