The Space Development Agency (SDA) has announced a delay in the launch of its next satellites, postponing the event until late summer. This setback is attributed to vendor delivery delays, which have hindered the system’s readiness to achieve the Tranche 1 minimum viable capability.
In an official statement, the agency emphasized the necessity of additional time due to “late supplier deliveries.” The forthcoming satellites will be part of the Proliferated Warfighter Space Architecture, a mega constellation of data transport and missile tracking spacecraft. Currently, the SDA has 27 spacecraft in orbit as part of Tranche 0, which is intended to validate the constellation’s viability. Tranche 1 will be responsible for delivering the first operational capability.
Originally, the SDA planned to commence launching Tranche 1 satellites in September 2024; however, it has had to revise this timeline multiple times due to delays from the contractors involved in the spacecraft’s development. The latest target date for launches was set for April, but has since been pushed to late summer 2024.
Despite these delays, SDA is confident it will still meet its goal of providing “initial warfighting capability” by early 2027. A spokesperson for SDA, who spoke under the condition of anonymity, indicated that the team has found ways to validate some systems while the spacecraft remain grounded, potentially accelerating the timeline for on-orbit testing.
Tranche 1 is projected to include 154 operational satellites and four demonstration systems, with 126 allocated for SDA’s data transport layer and 28 for missile warning and tracking. Following the launch of the first batch of Tranche 1 satellites later this year, SDA plans to initiate a campaign aimed at launching one mission per month.
The decision to delay the launches was made collaboratively by SDA leadership and the Space Force. Ongoing supply chain issues continue to challenge the program, with specific bottlenecks in parts like encryption devices and optical communications terminals.
At a Defense News conference in September 2024, SDA Director Derek Tournear linked these slow-downs to financial difficulties faced by certain vendors unable to scale their manufacturing capabilities effectively, particularly mentioning California-based Mynaric, which has struggled to increase production of optical terminals.
Tournear noted that some vendors are facing “growing pains” as they attempt to adapt to SDA’s accelerated launch schedule, which aims to introduce new technology every two years. The success of this model depends on vendors adapting to the rapid pace, thereby minimizing supply chain issues.
In other news, SDA’s procurement practices and leadership have been scrutinized recently. On January 16, it was announced that Tournear was placed on administrative leave due to an investigation by the Air Force Inspector General regarding a past contract action potentially violating the Federal Procurement Integrity Act. Subsequently, the Pentagon’s acting acquisition executive ordered a review of SDA’s organizational structure and performance to assess development risks.
Moreover, in late February, the Government Accountability Office (GAO) recommended that SDA reassess its launch plans owing to lagging technology maturity, highlighting that early satellites have failed to meet their performance goals. In response, SDA acknowledged that while it has not demonstrated the complete range of capabilities, it has achieved the foundational objectives for Tranche 0.
Courtney Albon, the author of this report, is a space and emerging technology reporter for C4ISRNET, covering U.S. military issues since 2012, particularly focusing on the Air Force and Space Force.
