The Space Force is set to reinstate Derek Tournear as the director of the Space Development Agency (SDA) this week. Tournear has been on administrative leave since mid-January following an investigation into the agency’s past contracting practices related to its proliferated satellite constellation. He is scheduled to resume his duties on April 17, as confirmed by an Air Force spokesperson.
William Blauser, the deputy director of the Air Force Rapid Capabilities Office, has been serving as the acting director during Tournear’s absence. While details regarding the outcome of the investigation were not disclosed, the spokesperson stated that the matter was handled through established civilian personnel processes.
In addition to Tournear’s reinstatement, the Pentagon has initiated a separate review of SDA’s organizational culture. The Air Force spokesperson indicated that this review is nearing completion, and once finalized, Tournear will be responsible for implementing any resulting recommendations.
The SDA was established in 2019 as a standalone acquisition organization within the Space Force. Its mission involves quickly deploying a constellation of hundreds of advanced missile-tracking and data transport satellites in low Earth orbit, approximately 1,200 miles above the Earth’s surface. Under Tournear’s leadership, the agency has emphasized an iterative approach to fielding capabilities in batches, or tranches, and upgrading available technology approximately every two years.
The investigation pertains to a contract awarded last August to Tyvak, a small satellite provider and subsidiary of Lockheed Martin. Tyvak received $254 million, while York Space Systems was awarded $170 million to each develop and operate 10 prototype satellites to demonstrate advanced tactical satellite communications.
In September, Viasat, a competitor that lost the bid, filed a protest with the U.S. Court of Federal Claims. Viasat alleged that SDA had failed to fairly evaluate its proposal and that other bidders were given undue advantages in the contracting process. An internal review by the Air Force concluded that an SDA official had violated the Procurement Integrity Act regarding communications with Tyvak and other contractors. Subsequently, in February, SDA announced plans to recompete the contract for Tyvak’s services while maintaining York’s contract intact.
Courtney Albon, the author of this report, is a space and emerging technology reporter at C4ISRNET, covering the U.S. military with a focus on the Air Force and Space Force since 2012.
