Tracking Layer

SDA resumes data relay satellite launch following tech fixes

The next set of 21 Tranche 1 Transport Layer birds are set to launch Thursday on a SpaceX Falcon 9, SDA Director Gurpartap "GP" Sandhoo told reporters.

SDA awards L3Harris, Sierra $1.75B for missile defense satellites

The new satellites for missile warning, tracking and targeting are being developed under an "accelerated" schedule to meet the Pentagon's 2028 plans for demonstrating its Golden Dome missile defense shield.

Space Force programs supporting Golden Dome see big FY27 budget boost

Missile warning and tracking programs, and the emerging Space Data Network being developed to ferry space sensor data to shooters on the ground, in the air and at sea are among the programs seeing huge increases.

EXCLUSIVE: SDA’s Sandhoo likely to lead Space Force Missile Warning & Tracking portfolio

It is unclear whether Gurpartap "GP" Sandhoo will keep his role as SDA acting director under a double-hat, but one industry source said that is the most likely solution at least in the near term.

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.

To overcome Golden Dome ‘affordability’ hurdle, DoD needs acquisition reform, AI: Official

Marcia Holmes, DoD deputy director for Golden Dome, said AI and autonomy will "change how we deploy and use our weapons."

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.

SpaceX to launch next SDA missile tracking satellites

SpaceX will launch 36 Tranche 2 Tracking Layer satellites — 18 built by L3Harris and 18 built by Lockheed Martin — plus eight FOO Fighter birds built by Millennium Space Systems.

SDA awards four contracts worth $3.5B for next-gen missile tracking satellites

Lockheed Martin, Rocket Lab USA, Northrop Grumman, and L3Harris Technologies each won awards to "deliver and operate 18 space vehicles" for the Space Development Agency's Tranche 3 Tracking Layer.

Funding for SDA’s next missile tracking contracts diverted to troop payments: Sources

"When the funding will be authorized, given the shutdown and all the fun there, is a question mark," one industry source told Breaking Defense.

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.

Space Force ponders shakeup to LEO satellite strategy, potentially hiring SpaceX for data relay

Contracts for the next-generation Tranche 3, which will replace the earliest Transport Layer satellites, have been paused until the Space Force study is completed, five sources with knowledge of the program told Breaking Defense.

SDA opens contest for 54 ‘Tranche 3’ missile tracking satellites

According to the formal solicitation posted on SAM.gov, SDA is looking to make three awards for 18 satellites each.

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.