WHO WE ARE
Speed. Delivery. Agility.
Recognized as the Department of Defense's constructive disruptor for space acquisition, the Space Development Agency (SDA) will quickly deliver needed space-based capabilities to the joint warfighter to support terrestrial missions through development, fielding, and operation of the Proliferated Warfighter Space Architecture. SDA capitalizes on a unique business model that values speed and lowers costs by harnessing commercial development to achieve a proliferated architecture and enhance resilience. SDA will deliver a minimum viable product - on time, every two years- by employing spiral development methods, adding capabilities to future generations as the threat evolves.
CAPABILITY LAYERS
Posted On: January 28, 2026 Response Date: February 27, 2026 Space Development Agency (SDA) today published a request for information (RFI) seeking industry solutions for airborne optical communication terminals. This initiative aims to equip aircraft with the ability to connect directly to SDA’s Proliferated Warfighter Space Architecture (PWSA), a resilient network of satellites in low…
Date: Dec. 19, 2025 Tracking Layer Tranche 3 expands upon missile warning/missile tracking and missile defense capabilities deployed in Tranches 1 and 2 WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Space Development Agency (SDA) today announced the award of four agreements, with a total value of approximately $3.5 billion, to build 72 Tracking Layer satellites to proliferate missile…
Photo credit: SpaceX
Sept. 8, 2025 WASHINGTON, DC – The Space Development Agency (SDA) today announced the selection of Dr. Gurpartap “GP” Sandhoo as the acting director of SDA, where he will lead the strategic direction and program execution for acquisition, delivery, and operations of the Proliferated Warfighter Space Architecture (PWSA). Sandhoo, most recently the agency’s deputy director,…
Date: September 2, 2025 | Outlet: Defense News | By: Courtney Albon In a series of trials this summer, the Space Development Agency and its industry team demonstrated two-way optical communications between a satellite and an aircraft in flight — a milestone for the agency’s efforts to establish a secure, high-speed, communications network that can…
July 8, 2025 WASHINGTON, DC – The Space Development Agency (SDA) today announced the selection of Dr. Gurpartap “GP” Sandhoo as the new Deputy Director of SDA, where he supports the director in the daily management of the organization and the execution of the development, fielding, and operation of the Proliferated Warfighter Space Architecture. Sandhoo…
Date: July 1, 2025 | Outlet: Defense One | By: Amber Corrin The Space Development Agency’s experimental satellite program just kicked off with a record-fast shift into full operating mode, offering what officials see as a promising start for an ambitious military space strategy. The Dragoon spacecraft, launched June 23, is the first of 12…
Posted On: July 1, 2025 Responses Due: Just 28 2025 SDA seeks industry proposals from Hybrid Acquisition of Low-Earth Orbit (HALO) pool prime contractors under an Other Transaction Authority (OTA) solicitation for the Europa Program, a demonstration that will be part of the Tranche 2 Demonstration and Experimentation System (T2DES). Technologies and methods matured through…
Date: June 24, 2025 SDA delivers first of 12 risk reduction satellites on orbit for experimentation and demonstration WASHINGTON, D.C.– The Space Development Agency today announced the successful launch from Vandenberg Space Force Base, California, of the first prototype among 12 risk reduction satellites comprising the Tranche 1 Demonstration and Experimentation System (T1DES) constellation that…
Date: May 8, 2025 | Outlet: Space News | By: Sandra Erwin WASHINGTON — The Pentagon is ramping up efforts to bring commercial technology into military systems, betting that private-sector speed and innovation can help modernize U.S. defense programs, especially in space. This push could increase the demand for so-called “mission integrators”—engineering firms that specialize…
