SDA Completes Second Successful Launch of Tranche 0 Satellites
SDA Completes Second Successful Launch of Tranche 0 Satellites
An Additional 13 Satellites Now on Orbit for PWSA Demonstrations
The Space Development Agency (SDA), part of the U.S. Space Force, has successfully launched the second group of space vehicles from the Proliferated Warfighter Space Architecture (PWSA). The launch included Transport and Tracking Layer satellites that will demonstrate low-latency tactical data links to deliver space-based capabilities to the warfighter, including tracking of advanced missile threats, through a resilient constellation in low-Earth orbit (LEO).
“Through these first two T0 launches, we’ve demonstrated that SDA can keep a schedule to deliver enhanced capabilities every two years."
Derek Tournear, SDA
The next 13 of the 28 Tranche 0 satellites launched aboard a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket from Vandenberg Space Force Base, California. The final manifest included 10 Transport satellites from Lockheed Martin Space, one Transport satellite from York Space Systems, and two Tracking satellites from SpaceX.
York has now delivered all of its T0 satellites to SDA, reinforcing its commitment to the SDA's vision and larger PWSA initiative. Each Lockheed Martin satellite incorporates a Terran Orbital bus and payload processors and is equipped with SmartSat, LMC's software platform that makes it easier to dynamically add and quickly change missions in orbit through simple app uploads. The satellites also host Link 16 radios to introduce a terrestrial-proven network in space. Link-16 will enable sensor-to-shooter targeting by connecting systems that include fighter aircraft and Integrated Air and Missile Defense (IAMD) networks.
Lockheed Martin is currently building 42 satellites for SDA's Tranche 1 Transport Layer (T1TL) and was recently awarded an agreement to build 36 of SDA's 72 Beta variant satellites for its Tranche 2 Transport Layer (T2TL) constellation. The T1TL and T2TL Beta satellites will be assembled, integrated, and tested in Lockheed Martin's new small satellite (smallsat) processing facility that is designed for the high-volume delivery of complete satellites.
The launch vehicle deployed the satellites into an insertion orbit where SDA will begin test and checkout procedures, which will eventually include orbit raising to reach the intended orbit at approximately 1,000 km. Tranche 0 ground support is provided by the U.S. Naval Research Laboratory.
A third and final group of four Tranche 0 Tracking satellites are scheduled to launch aboard a planned Missile Defense Agency launch later this year. With the full constellation on orbit, Tranche 0 will include 19 optically-connected data transport satellites and eight missile warning/missile tracking satellites equipped with wide-field-of-view sensors. One Tranche 0 Transport Layer satellite remains on the ground to serve as a software testbed.
“I’m very pleased with the initial operation of the first group of satellites we launched in April,” said Derek Tournear, SDA director. “Through these first two T0 launches, we’ve demonstrated that SDA can keep a schedule to deliver enhanced capabilities every two years. While the launch is very exciting news, it’s what we will demonstrate on orbit that really matters— the ability to provide the warfighter with tactical data links, beyond line of sight targeting, and the missile warning/missile tracking of advanced missiles.”
In August 2020, SDA awarded firm-fixed-price T0 Transport satellite contracts resulting in a cost of approximately $15 million per satellite. The agency began fielding Transport satellites approximately 30 months from order to orbit. Additionally, SDA awarded the T0 Tracking satellite contracts in October 2020, moving from order to orbit in approximately 27 months.
Tranche 0 will demonstrate the feasibility of the following:
Low latency data connectivity
Beyond line of sight targeting
Missile warning/missile tracking
On-orbit fusion
Multi-phenomenology ground-based sensor fusion
SDA has begun the build phase of Tranche 1 satellites and plans to field the first operational generation of the PWSA beginning in late 2024. Tranche 1 will include approximately 150 Transport and Tracking satellites. Tranche 1 will be operated by SDA’s groundbreaking space operations centers based heavily on commercial space operations models.