https://spacewatch.global/tag/sda/ AN INDEPENDENT PERSPECTIVE ON SPACE Wed, 06 May 2026 08:34:21 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=7.0 https://spacewatch.global/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/SpaceWatchGlobal-Sign-90x90.png https://spacewatch.global/tag/sda/ 32 32 https://spacewatch.global/2026/05/4s-symposium-2026-gp-sandhoo-sda-acting-director-on-defense-speed-and-allied-cooperation/ Wed, 06 May 2026 08:35:00 +0000 https://spacewatch.global/?p=73656 Space is no longer a safe layer behind operations. It is part of the battlefield.]]> https://spacewatch.global/2026/01/spacewatchgl-opinion-europes-space-defence-autonomy-partnership-or-strategic-dependence/ Thu, 22 Jan 2026 09:00:00 +0000 https://spacewatch.global/?p=70334
Written by K.-P. Ludwig
The strategic trajectory of the United States is becoming increasingly explicit as the current administration advances into its second term. Washington’s security focus is shifting decisively toward the Indo-Pacific and a long-term competition with China, a shift underscored by recent punitive measures such as the strict sanctioning of Venezuelan oil exports, including those destined for Chinese markets. Within this framework, Europe is no longer viewed by the US as “a security beneficiary” but as a region expected to assume greater responsibility for its own defence. These are blunt words, but in practice they mean that European NATO members are expected to function as semi-autonomous pillars within a U.S.-led deterrence architecture.]]> https://spacewatch.global/2025/11/spacewatchgl-opinion-international-security-forum-bonn-2025/ Fri, 07 Nov 2025 09:00:00 +0000 https://spacewatch.global/?p=68820
Written by Gilles Rabin
The Forum organized by Cassis (Center for Advanced Security, Strategic and Integration Studies) under the direction of Dr. Enrico Fels took place over three days, with the second day focusing on the theme of “Securing a sustainable space” and bringing together industrial players, former politicians, and military personnel of various nationalities.]]> https://spacewatch.global/2025/07/space-cafe-radio-with-christophe-morand/ Thu, 03 Jul 2025 08:00:00 +0000 https://spacewatch.global/?p=66090 In this episode of Space Café Radio live from Prague, host Torsten Kriening was joined by Christophe Morand, advisor to the European Commission's Directorate-General for Defense Industry and Space (DG DEFIS). As a former French Air Force Colonel with extensive experience in military space intelligence, Morand discusses the EU's current and future projects related to space and defense, the importance of the European Defense Fund (EDF), and the upcoming Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF) negotiations. ]]> https://spacewatch.global/2025/03/cognitive-space-wins-sda-ota-contract-for-pwsa-bmc3-ecosystem/ Tue, 04 Mar 2025 07:00:00 +0000 https://spacewatch.global/?p=64249 Cognitive Space has won an OTA contract under the PWSA Battle Management Mission Applications BAA by the Space Development Agency (SDA). The contract will focus on deploying and testing automated mesh network management for the Battle Management Command, Control, and Communication (BMC3) ecosystem.]]> https://spacewatch.global/2025/02/lockheed-martin-is-developing-t2tl-space-vehicles-for-sdas-pwsa/ Wed, 26 Feb 2025 07:00:38 +0000 https://spacewatch.global/?p=64135 Lockheed Martin is developing 18 Tranche 2 (T2) Tracking Layer space vehicles in support of the Space Development Agency (SDA)'s Proliferated Warfighter Space Architecture (PWSA).]]> https://spacewatch.global/2024/12/sda-signs-zero-debris-charter-towards-esa-cooperation/ Thu, 05 Dec 2024 07:00:00 +0000 https://spacewatch.global/?p=62773 The Space Development Agency (SDA) has signed the Zero Debris Charter as it moves to strengthen its cooperation on space safety and sustainability with the European Space Agency (ESA). The Zero Debris Charter is a voluntary commitment intending to establish a common vision and a set of principles and targets for reducing and preventing space debris.]]> https://spacewatch.global/2024/12/space-nuggets-48-2024/ Sun, 01 Dec 2024 17:53:29 +0000 https://spacewatch.global/?p=62606 In this week's nugget, we celebrate Prof. Dr. Thomas Schildknecht, winner of the 2024 TS Kelso Award, for his groundbreaking work in space debris tracking and sustainability. ]]> https://spacewatch.global/2024/11/sierra-space-completes-pdr-for-sdas-missile-satellites-contract/ Thu, 14 Nov 2024 07:00:00 +0000 https://spacewatch.global/?p=62253 Sierra Space has completed the Preliminary Design Review (PDR) for the missile warning and tracking satellites it is developing for the Space Development Agency (SDA) under a prime contract. The satellites are part of the SDA’s Proliferated Warfighter Space Architecture, specifically the Tranche 2 Tracking Layer, which is a segment of the Defense Department’s Low Earth Orbit constellation.]]> https://spacewatch.global/2024/10/kepler-wins-space-development-agency-halo-contract/ Mon, 28 Oct 2024 07:00:00 +0000 https://spacewatch.global/?p=61958 Kepler Communications US Inc., a subsidiary of Kepler Communications, has won a prime position on the Space Development Agency’s (SDA’s) Hybrid Acquisition for a proliferated Low-earth Orbit (HALO) contract. SDA intends to initiate and award multiple contracts each year through the HALO effort.]]> https://spacewatch.global/2024/10/muon-space-wins-sda-contract-for-halo-program/ Fri, 25 Oct 2024 06:00:00 +0000 https://spacewatch.global/?p=61919 Muon Space has announced its selection by the Space Development Agency (SDA) for the Hybrid Acquisition for Proliferated Low-Earth Orbit (HALO) program. This selection recognizes Muon Space’s proven satellite technology stack and innovative mission approach, positioning the company to compete for future prototype orders under this initiative.]]> https://spacewatch.global/2024/08/terran-orbitals-tyvak-wins-sda-t2tl-gamma-contract/ Wed, 21 Aug 2024 06:00:27 +0000 https://spacewatch.global/?p=56660 The Space Development Agency (SDA) has selected Tyvak Nano-Satellite Systems, Terran Orbital's subsidiary company, to produce 10 satellites for the Tranche 2 Transport Layer (T2TL) Gamma contract. Terran Orbital will consequently undertake the comprehensive design, construction, integration, testing, and delivery of 10 T2TL Gamma satellites based on its Ambassador platform. ]]> https://spacewatch.global/2024/08/lockheed-martin-to-acquire-terran-orbital/ Fri, 16 Aug 2024 07:00:52 +0000 https://spacewatch.global/?p=56618 Lockheed Martin has announced the signing of a definitive agreement to acquire Terran Orbital, a provider of satellite-based solutions primarily supporting the aerospace and defense industries. Terran Orbital brings a high throughput, robotic manufacturing capacity and high-performing modular space vehicle designs. Combined with Lockheed Martin's record of performance and innovation, this transaction will usher in a broader range of capabilities and value for customers.]]> https://spacewatch.global/2024/06/kepler-validates-optical-technology-for-data-relay-constellation/ Tue, 18 Jun 2024 06:00:46 +0000 https://spacewatch.global/?p=55698 Kepler Communications has announced the successful validation of optical inter-satellite links (OISLs) between two data relay satellites in low Earth orbit (LEO). During a commissioning and early operations phase, Kepler established optical inter-satellite links between two Pathfinder satellites featuring  Space Development Agency (SDA) compatible Tesat SCOT80 optical terminals.]]> https://spacewatch.global/2024/02/episci-selected-by-sda-for-sbir-phase-ii-award/ Mon, 19 Feb 2024 07:00:06 +0000 https://spacewatch.global/?p=53709 EpiSci has announced an SBIR Phase II contract with the Space Development Agency (SDA) to advance the capabilities of low earth orbit (LEO) overhead persistent infrared (OPIR) sensors. This effort builds on EpiSci’s expertise in signal processing technology using state-of-the-art artificial intelligence (AI)/machine learning (ML) techniques to provide warfighters a competitive advantage.]]> https://spacewatch.global/2024/02/space-systems-command-launches-six-satellites-aboard-falcon-9/ Thu, 15 Feb 2024 07:00:13 +0000 https://spacewatch.global/?p=53671 The US Space Systems Command (SSC) and its mission partners have successfully launched the U.S. Space Force (USSF)-124 mission on a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket today at 5:30 p.m. EST from Space Launch Complex 40, Cape Canaveral Space Force Station, Florida.  Furthermore, the satellites for the Missile Defense Agency (MDA) and Space Development Agency (SDA) were safely delivered to their intended orbit.]]> https://spacewatch.global/2024/02/leolabs-selected-for-u-s-sda-tap-lab-accelerator/ Tue, 06 Feb 2024 07:00:59 +0000 https://spacewatch.global/?p=53525 LeoLabs has announced its selection to participate in the U.S. Space Systems Command's Space Domain Awareness (SDA) Tools Applications and Processing (TAP) Lab Apollo Accelerator. This program enables LeoLabs to demonstrate its AI-powered solutions for Combat ID and Space Battle Management.]]> https://spacewatch.global/2024/01/l3harris-wins-sda-contract-for-sdas-t2tl-program/ Thu, 18 Jan 2024 07:00:41 +0000 https://spacewatch.global/?p=53257 L3Harris Technologies has received a contract with a potential value of up to $919 million to design and build 18 infrared space vehicles for the Space Development Agency’s (SDA) Tranche 2 (T2) Tracking Layer program that will provide near-global missile warning and tracking coverage. Furthermore, the company’s technology will also support preliminary fire control capability for the SDA’s Proliferated Warfighter Space Architecture (PWSA).]]> https://spacewatch.global/2024/01/rocket-lab-wins-contract-to-build-18-satellites-for-us-agency/ Tue, 02 Jan 2024 07:00:07 +0000 https://spacewatch.global/?p=53044 The U.S. government has selected Rocket Lab to design, manufacture, deliver, and operate 18 space vehicles through a contract worth up to $515 million. Rocket Lab disclosed the award in a December 21 filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). According to Rocket Lab’s SEC filing, the contract includes a base amount of $489 million, with incentives and options worth $26 million.]]> https://spacewatch.global/2023/11/spacerake-receives-sda-funding-for-miniaturized-lasercoms/ Mon, 06 Nov 2023 07:00:55 +0000 https://spacewatch.global/?p=52107 SpaceRake, Inc., has received approximately $1.8 million in Direct to Phase II SBIR funding from the Space Development Agency (SDA). The two-year agreement will consequently provide funding for SpaceRake to develop miniaturized lasercom terminals for networking satellites in space. The SpaceRake terminals will enable a wide variety of satellites to connect to orbital network links like the SDA Transport Layer currently in development, allowing cost-effective small satellites and constellations to be increasingly viable for incorporation into future resilient space communication architectures.]]>