First Nine Satellite Structures for the SDA Tranche 2 Tracking Layer Completed by Sierra Space
Milestone Marked Three Months Ahead of Schedule
The first nine satellite structures, Plane 1 of the 18 total satellites Sierra Space is contracted to deliver for the Space Development Agency’s (SDA) Tranche 2 Tracking Layer (T2TRK) program, have been completed three months ahead of schedule.
“As we move closer to delivering this capability, every phase of development is essential to ensuring mission success.”
Erik Daehler, Sierra Space Defense
The next stage currently planned for Plane 1 is a transition to the assembly, integration, and testing (AI&T) phase, during which components, subsystems, and payloads are expected to be integrated and subjected to rigorous testing to verify performance and readiness for deployment.
“We stood up our high-rate manufacturing facility, Victory Works, to meet the demanding requirements of our customer,” said Erik Daehler, SVP of Sierra Space Defense. “To go from a successful Critical Design Review to completing the Plane 1 satellite structures—three months ahead of schedule—is a powerful validation of our investment in scalable infrastructure. Our team is energized as we move into the next phase of Plane 1 development, focusing on assembly, integration, and testing, while also beginning the satellite structure build for Plane 2, the remaining nine satellites of the 18-satellite constellation for SDA.
“As we move closer to delivering this capability, every phase of development is essential to ensuring mission success,” Daehler said. “We believe the Tranche 2 Tracking Layer will provide unmatched missile tracking capabilities for SDA and its mission partners, and we remain committed to meeting each milestone with precision and speed.”
Building on this momentum, Sierra Space is also preparing to expand its capabilities to meet future demands for advanced fire-control and missile defense tracking systems.
“This mission is too important to not be continuously evolving,” said John Wagner, Sierra Space Vice President of Strategy and Business Development. “We are scaling our production capabilities and advancing our detection technologies, including the next generation of fire-control missile defense sensors. We believe our infrastructure, expertise, and track record position us to support the Department of War’s evolving needs for advanced tracking and missile defense.”
Sierra Space is contracted to deliver two orbital planes of satellites—18 in total—equipped with advanced infrared sensors to detect and track ballistic, hypersonic, and next-generation missile threats.