Space Development Agency to Soon Deliver Capabilities to US Army.

The U.S. Department of Defense has announced its plan to provide missile-tracking capabilities for operational use by combat commanders by the end of 2025. Derek Tournear, director of the Space Development Agency (SDA), shared this information during a defense news conference held in Arlington, Virginia, on September 5, 2024.
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A Falcon 9 rocket carrying 21 Starlink satellites launches from Space Launch Complex 40 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station, Fla., Aug 10, 2024. (Picture source: US DoD)

Tournear mentioned that the agency has already launched 27 demonstration satellites, keeping one on the ground as a testbed for software updates and debugging. These satellites are in low Earth orbit as part of a program aimed at improving missile-tracking capabilities using data transport and surveillance satellites. Currently, the agency is in tranche 0, which represents the early phases of deployment for capability demonstrations.

The satellites in question are part of the proliferated warfighter space architecture (PWSA), a system designed to meet national security needs. Tournear noted that tranche 0 has proven the feasibility of using the secure military communications system, Link 16, from space to the warfighter. Link 16 allows real-time tactical data exchange between military aircraft, ships, and ground forces from the U.S. and allied forces.

Tournear highlighted that this achievement, carried out in collaboration with Australian partners, a U.S. Navy aircraft carrier, and airframe, is a world first. Further tests are planned with Norway as part of the ongoing evaluation process.

Another issue the agency is addressing is whether missile-tracking missions can be conducted from low Earth orbit satellites, despite the space clutter at that altitude and the dim appearance of missiles in real-time flight. Tournear confirmed that this is feasible, with recent successes in identifying "targets of opportunity," including a SpaceX launch and classified missile launches.

A further achievement of tranche 0 is the demonstration of an optical network in low Earth orbit using laser communications. The night before the conference, two tracking satellites successfully acquired and maintained links for several hours, demonstrating the viability of the concept.

Tranche 1 is expected to be launched by the end of this year or shortly thereafter, while tranche 2 is currently in the design phase, with a planned launch in September 2026. Work on tranche 3 is ongoing, which will be necessary to replace some of the earlier satellites, as they have a design lifespan of approximately five years.

Tournear also emphasized the agility and results-oriented approach of the agency, while noting its cost-effectiveness and continued support from Congress.