News: Department of Defense
Headlines from space publications, linked back to the original articles
Industry / News / Department of Defense
- Redwire Wins $20M DARPA Contract for Second VLEO Demo Payload · 5 Nov 2026 A group of otters is called a bevy, and DARPA just ordered another round.
- Space Nuclear Power Corporation Awarded DARPA Agreement for Ground Test of Autonomous Nuclear Reactor Controller SpaceNews · 21 Oct 2026 LOS ALAMOS, N.M. — October 21, 2026 — Space Nuclear Power Corporation (SpaceNukes) announced today that the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) has awarded the company an Other Transaction […]
- SpaceX to make another attempt to launch 21 data satellites for Space Development Agency Spaceflight Now · 9 Oct 2026 Liftoff of the Falcon 9 rocket from Vandenberg Space Force Base in California carrying satellites for the Space Development Agency’s Proliferated Warfighter Space Architecture constellation is scheduled for 12:39 a.m. PD...
- Live coverage: SpaceX to launch 21 data transport satellites for the Space Development Agency Spaceflight Now · 4 Oct 2026 The Tranche 1 Transporter Layer A mission is the fourth flight supporting the Space Development Agency’s Proliferated Warfighter Space Architecture constellation. Liftoff from pad 4E at Vandenberg Space Force Base is sch...
- The electronics ‘under the hood’ of space networking SpaceNews · 27 Aug 2026 In this episode, SpaceNews’ Mike Gruss interviews Jeff Janicik, CEO and chairman of Innoflight. They discuss Golden Dome, Artemis and working with big numbers for the Space Development Agency. Sponsored […]
- SpaceX launches Northrop mission to extend the life of aging satellites SpaceNews · 21 Jul 2026 DARPA-backed vehicle will install propulsion pods on three commercial satellites in geostationary orbit
- Live coverage: SpaceX to launch novel geosynchronous robotic servicing satellite on decade-long mission Spaceflight Now · 21 Jul 2026 Northrop Grumman’s Mission Robotic Vehicle features the Robotic Servicing of Geosynchronous Satellites (RSGS) payload from the U.S. Naval Research Laboratory and DARPA. Liftoff from pad 40 at Cape Canaveral Space Force S...
- SpaceX launches 21 satellites for military data network SpaceNews · 16 Jul 2026 With the launch of 21 York Space Systems satellites, the Space Development Agency has now placed half of its planned Tranche 1 Transport Layer constellation in orbit
- Defense Innovation Unit seeks commercial path to deliver electrical power from orbit SpaceNews · 16 Jul 2026 DIU solicitation aims to move long-studied technology toward military use by fiscal 2030
- Space Force Awards L3Harris & Sierra Space $1.75B Contract for 36 Missile Tracking Satellites The Launch Pad · 16 Jul 2026 The U.S. Space Force’s Space Development Agency (SDA) has awarded contracts totaling approximately $1.75 billion to defense industry stalwarts L3Harris Technologies and Sierra Space. The contracts fund the development an...
- Live coverage: SpaceX to launch 21 communications satellites for the Space Development Agency Spaceflight Now · 16 Jul 2026 The Tranche 1 Transporter Layer E (T1TL-E) mission is the third batch of operational satellites launched to support the SDA’s Proliferated Warfighter Space Architecture satellite constellation. Liftoff from pad 4E at Van...
- L3Harris, Sierra Space to build 36 satellites to expand U.S. missile-tracking network SpaceNews · 13 Jul 2026 The Space Development Agency awarded the companies a combined $1.75 billion for next batch of missile-tracking satellites
- SDA TAP Lab Evolves Into BMC3I TAP Lab And In Partnership With Catalyst Campus Launches A New Multi-Phased Program To Accelerate Mission-Focused Technology Development SpaceNews · 9 Jul 2026 Catalyst Campus for Technology and Innovation (CCTI) and the BMC3I TAP Lab Colorado are excited to announce a new multi-phased program designed to strengthen collaboration between commercial innovators and government […]
- DARPA to explore ways to rapidly rebuild satellite networks if attacked SpaceNews · 15 Jun 2026 The agency is seeking novel concepts to restore critical satellite services within hours or weeks
- Senate NDAA backs plan to fold SDA, Space RCO into Space Force SpaceNews · 11 Jun 2026 The committee's 2027 defense bill would eliminate separate statutory requirements for the two acquisition organizations while advancing broader Pentagon procurement reforms
- House Armed Services draft bill eliminates SDA, Space RCO as separate entities SpaceNews · 27 May 2026 HASC 2027 NDAA supports realignment of the Space Development Agency and the Space Rapid Capabilities Office under a portfolio-based acquisition structure
- Voyager wins DARPA contract for solid rocket propellant technology SpaceNews · 26 May 2026 The $16.5 million award is for ‘thrust-control technology’ designed to make solid propulsion systems more adaptable across different missions and weapons programs
- SDA director Sandhoo takes on broader Space Force missile warning portfolio SpaceNews · 19 May 2026 The Pentagon is realigning the Space Development Agency’s satellite programs under new acquisition structure
- York Space defends growth strategy as SDA programs are reshaped SpaceNews · 16 May 2026 Company executives acknowledge ‘investor confusion’ as Space Force reorganizes York’s primary customer, the Space Development Agency
- Space Force reorg signals end of SDA as standalone agency SpaceNews · 16 Apr 2026 Officials say the Space Development Agency’s ‘go fast’ model will live on under new portfolio-based organization
- Tracking the next SDA challenge SpaceNews · 8 Apr 2026 A flurry of commercial innovation has left the U.S. government with no shortage of sensors and AI-driven insights to monitor the increasingly packed and contested space environment. The challenge is […]
- Capella Space wins $49 million contract for military communications satellite demo SpaceNews · 8 Apr 2026 The contract was awarded by the Space Development Agency for 2027 demonstrations
- Space Development Agency slows satellite launches to focus on on-orbit performance SpaceNews · 24 Mar 2026 The agency’s acting director says checkout, orbit-raising and network testing are pacing the program
- York Space rides defense demand as procurement changes cloud outlook SpaceNews · 23 Mar 2026 The company points to backlog and commercial wins as it navigates transition in Space Development Agency-led programs
- Holistic space observation: the shift from SSA to SDA SpaceNews · 20 Mar 2026 Recent reporting on SpaceX’s proposal to deploy up to one million satellites in low Earth orbit — paired with a vision of AI-enabled, autonomous orbital infrastructure — marks a decisive moment for the space community. R...
- NASA Wallops Supports First Rocket Lab HASTE Launch of 2026 NASA · 5 Mar 2026 NASA’s Wallops Flight Facility supported a Rocket Lab HASTE suborbital launch from the company’s Launch Complex 2 in Virginia on Feb. 27, 2026. The mission, called Cassowary Vex, supported a flight of a hypersonic test p...
- Rocket Lab Showcases Hypersonic Test Flight Space Scout · 28 Feb 2026 On February 27th, 2026, Rocket Lab launched the “That’s Not A Knife” mission from Wallops Island, Virginia, carrying a hypersonic test vehicle for the Defense Innovation Unit.
- AST SpaceMobile wins SDA HALO Europa contract for direct to device tactical links SpaceDaily · 25 Feb 2026 New York (SDX) Feb 23, 2026 AST SpaceMobile has secured a prime contract worth about 30 million dollars with the United States Space Development Agency for the Europa Track 2 Commercial Solutions program under the Hybrid...
- A banner year for military space funding— with an unclear path beyond SpaceNews · 24 Feb 2026 Reconciliation boost lifts 2026 totals, but sustainability questions loom for missile defense and Space Development Agency
- AST SpaceMobile wins $30 million contract for military broadband demo SpaceNews · 23 Feb 2026 The Space Development Agency will explore the use of commercial satellites to test direct-to-device connectivity for future warfighting network
- Pentagon seeks commercially built GEO spy satellites SpaceNews · 18 Feb 2026 The Defense Innovation Unit plans to select companies to field and operate spacecraft before transferring them to government control within three years
- NINE INNOVATIVE COMPANIES SELECTED FOR FOURTH COHORT OF SDA TAP LAB – CATALYST CAMPUS MINI ACCELERATOR SpaceNews · 11 Feb 2026 Catalyst Campus is proud to welcome the fourth cohort of small businesses to the SDA TAP Lab – Catalyst Campus Mini Accelerator, a dynamic two-month program designed to prepare innovative […]
- DARPA taps Raytheon for new maritime defense system SpaceDaily · 4 Feb 2026 Los Angeles CA (SPX) Feb 03, 2026 Raytheon, an RTX business, has been selected by the US Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency to develop an advanced sensing and targeting system to protect commercial shipping and na...
- Leonardo DRS infrared payloads selected for SDA Tracking Layer Tranche 3 SpaceDaily · 31 Jan 2026 Los Angeles CA (SPX) Jan 29, 2026 Leonardo DRS has been awarded a subcontract to deliver advanced infrared mission payloads for the Space Development Agency's Tracking Layer Tranche 3, expanding space-based support for t...
- GAO flags risks in Space Development Agency’s missile-tracking satellite program SpaceNews · 28 Jan 2026 Congressional watchdog says SDA is overestimating technology readiness
- AST SpaceMobile secures role on MDA SHIELD defense architecture SpaceDaily · 22 Jan 2026 Los Angeles CA (SPX) Jan 19, 2026 AST SpaceMobile has been selected for a prime contract position on the U.S. Missile Defense Agency Scalable Homeland Innovative Enterprise Layered Defense, or SHIELD, program, placing it...
- Starfish Space wins SDA contract to deorbit satellites SpaceNews · 21 Jan 2026 Starfish Space has won a contract from the Space Development Agency to deorbit satellites in a missile-tracking and communications constellation, evidence that deorbiting services are moving into the mainstream.
- Quantum camera startup plans satellite and telescope constellations SpaceDaily · 14 Jan 2026 Los Angeles CA (SPX) Jan 14, 2026 Diffraqtion, a space startup spun out of MIT and the University of Maryland, has closed a pre-seed funding round to advance satellite constellations and telescope systems powered by a no...
- Space Force wants competition. Satellite makers want stability. SpaceNews · 13 Jan 2026 Behind the rhetoric about competition and innovation, not everyone is convinced SDA’s approach is a win-win
- MDA Space wins role in US SHIELD missile defense program SpaceDaily · 12 Jan 2026 Berlin, Germany (SPX) Jan 09, 2026 MDA Space Ltd. (TSX: MDA) reports it has received an indefinite delivery/indefinite quantity (IDIQ) contract from the Missile Defense Agency for the Scalable Homeland Innovative Enterpr...