News: Space Development Agency
Headlines from space publications, linked back to the original articles
Industry / News / Space Development Agency
- SpaceX launches 21 satellites for Space Development Agency ‘Transport Layer’ military network SpaceNews · 10 Sep 2025 The satellites, made by York Space Systems, make up the first plane of a mesh network projected to have 126 spacecraft
- Live coverage: Space Development Agency, SpaceX to launch next-gen national security satellites Spaceflight Now · 10 Sep 2025 The 21 satellites from York Space Systems are the first in the SDA’s Tranche 1 Transport Layer satellite constellation. SpaceX is targeting liftoff from pad 4 East at Vandenberg Space Force Base at 7:12 a.m. PDT (10:12 a...
- Tournear leaves Space Development Agency for new role at Auburn University SpaceNews · 8 Sep 2025 Derek Tournear is now director of space innovation under Auburn University’s Applied Research Institute
- Muon Space names new leadership to advance role in government market SpaceNews · 8 Jul 2025 Former Space Development Agency official Paula Trimble has joined the company as vice president of government affairs and strategy
- Pentagon to consider SpaceX alternative for Space Force satellite program SpaceNews · 26 Jun 2025 The outcome of the review could impact the procurement of as many as 140 satellites for the Space Development Agency's Transport Layer Tranche 3 program
- York Space launches U.S. military satellite on SpaceX rideshare SpaceNews · 23 Jun 2025 Dragoon is the first of 12 satellites York is building under a contract with the Space Development Agency
- ExoTerra delivers 21 propulsion modules for SDA satellites SpaceNews · 27 May 2025 SAN FRANCISCO — Colorado-based ExoTerra Resources has supplied York Space Systems with 21 propulsion modules for the Space Development Agency (SDA) Transport Layer. After raising money to expand staff and […]
- Inside SDA, IRIS², and More: Novaspace Unveils Major Space Programs Tracker SpaceNews · 5 May 2025 Novaspace, the leading space consulting and market intelligence firm, has unveiled a new offering: the Major Space Programs Tracker. This report debuts with a spotlight on a defining trend across […]
- If European leaders want to beef up defense in space, they should look to the Space Development Agency SpaceNews · 30 Apr 2025 At the risk of understating the case, Europe has been shaken by recent geopolitical events. ‘Great power politics’ is back, and Europe faces the very real risk of becoming a […]
- SAIC wins $55 million Space Development Agency contract for satellite network integration SpaceNews · 22 Apr 2025 By introducing a program integrator role, SDA aims to ensure better compatibility among satellites and cohesion across the network
- Derek Tournear Reinstated as Director of Space Development Agency Following Investigation The Launch Pad · 15 Apr 2025 Derek Tournear Reinstated as Director of Space Development Agency Following Investigation
- Derek Tournear to return as Space Development Agency director after investigation SpaceNews · 14 Apr 2025 Tournear will return to the Space Development Agency on April 17 after a three-month administrative leave
- Cognitive Space claims two SDA awards SpaceNews · 12 Mar 2025 Cognitive Space will work with the Space Development Agency to optimize missile tracking and network routing.
- Space Development Agency adjusts satellite procurement strategy SpaceNews · 12 Mar 2025 The agency has found that building a constellation of networked spacecraft is more complex than initially anticipated
- Space Development Agency’s satellite program pushes launch timeline SpaceNews · 7 Mar 2025 The PWSA Tranche 1 launch campaign is now anticipated to begin in late summer 2025
- Space Development Agency pushes back on GAO’s criticism SpaceNews · 27 Feb 2025 The congressional watchdog raised concerns about the agency's rush to deploy hundreds of military satellites before fully proving that they can establish laser communications in orbit
- Congressional watchdog flags risks in Space Development Agency’s satellite program SpaceNews · 26 Feb 2025 The Government Accountability Office specifically raises concerns about the technical maturity of the Proliferated Warfighter Space Architecture’s laser communications technology.
- Space Development Agency satellite procurements moving forward amid heightened scrutiny SpaceNews · 24 Feb 2025 SDA is advancing the first major satellite acquisition since the removal of its former director Derek Tournear.
- Space Development Agency seeks industry input on integrating satellite network into ‘Iron Dome’ SpaceNews · 12 Feb 2025 The agency plans to award one or more contracts for 60-day studies focused on several areas.
- Geost sues Sierra Space over breach of contract in military satellite program SpaceNews · 6 Feb 2025 The sensor manufacturer alleges the satellite maker broke an agreement and misused Geost's status as a new market entrant to win a Space Development Agency contract before switching to a different supplier.
- Air Force acquisition veteran takes helm of Space Development Agency SpaceNews · 5 Feb 2025 William Blauser will serve as acting director of SDA. He is currently deputy director of the Air Force's Rapid Capabilities Office
- Space Force procurement official removed amid investigation SpaceNews · 16 Jan 2025 The Department of the Air Force confirmed that Derek Tournear, director of the Space Development Agency, has been placed on investigative administrative leave
- U.S. military satellites achieve first cross-vendor laser communications link SpaceNews · 9 Jan 2025 The Space Development Agency that oversees the program has emphasized the adoption of open standards for interoperability
- “GenAI, Operators, and Nerds”: The Triad Behind Groundbreaking Space Domain Awareness SpaceNews · 9 Dec 2024 While generative AI accelerates space domain awareness (SDA), going further to link GenAI via multiple large language models (LLMs) delivers revolutionary advantages—allowing space operators to rapidly manage assets, pre...
- Supply chain woes in the defense industry: ‘Let’s not fool ourselves’ SpaceNews · 9 Dec 2024 Derek Tournear, director of the Space Development Agency: ‘We need the flight software for our satellites to be written in the U.S.’
- Kratos to develop ground system for U.S. missile defense satellites SpaceNews · 13 Nov 2024 The Space Development Agency awarded Kratos a $116.7 million contract to build ground system for missile defense operations
- Sierra Space clears design review in military satellite program SpaceNews · 12 Nov 2024 The Space Development Agency awarded Sierra Space a $740 million contract earlier this year to design and deliver 18 missile warning and tracking satellites
- Space Development Agency selects 19 companies for low-Earth orbit demonstration program SpaceNews · 23 Oct 2024 Companies will compete for space missions under an indefinite-delivery-indefinite-quantity (IDIQ) contract model
- Space Development Agency taps Umbra for satellite integration study SpaceNews · 22 Oct 2024 Umbra operates a constellation of high-resolution synthetic aperture radar (SAR) satellites
- Space Development Agency unveils plans for next 200-satellite procurement SpaceNews · 8 Oct 2024 SDA is preparing a solicitation for Tranche 3 of the U.S. military’s proliferated space architecture
- U.S. military satellites built by York Space demonstrate optical communications in orbit SpaceNews · 16 Sep 2024 York is the second satellite provider for SDA to demonstrate in-space communications using Tesat terminals, following a previous demonstration by SpaceX.
- Growing pains in U.S. military’s satellite revolution SpaceNews · 13 Sep 2024 In the high-stakes arena of military space technology, the U.S. Space Force’s Space Development Agency is attempting to rewrite the rulebook with a mesh network of interconnected satellites in low-Earth
- SpaceX satellites with Tesat terminals achieve first laser data exchange for U.S. military SpaceNews · 4 Sep 2024 This marks the first time that satellites built for the Space Development Agency demonstrate laser communications in space using optical terminals compliant with military standards
- General Dynamics secures $491 million contract extension from Space Development Agency SpaceNews · 30 Aug 2024 The new contract nearly doubles General Dynamics' agreement for satellite ground systems to nearly $900 million through 2029
- Terran Orbital, York Space win U.S. military satellite contracts SpaceNews · 16 Aug 2024 The contracts worth $424 million were awarded by the Space Development Agency for 20 satellites for relay and tactical communications
- SDA is set to award satellite servicing contracts SpaceNews · 1 Aug 2024 LAS VEGAS – The Space Development Agency is preparing to award contracts to companies focused on satellite servicing. Through the contracts, SDA, which is part of the U.S. Space Force,
- New report examines Space Force agency’s ambitious satellite network program SpaceNews · 25 Jul 2024 The Aerospace Corporation in a report highlights the promise and potential pitfalls of the Space Development Agency's innovative satellite acquisition approach
- SDA Urges Contractors to Diversify Satellite Supply Chain The Launch Pad · 9 Jun 2024 SDA Urges Contractors to Diversify Satellite Supply Chain
- Space Development Agency calls on satellite builders to diversify suppliers SpaceNews · 9 Jun 2024 Contractors urged to "have a different mentality" on parts ordering
- The Satellite Breakup: Military’s Push to Go Small SpaceNews · 5 Jun 2024 Taking cues from the Space Development Agency, the Space Force is rethinking its future satellite architecture