Space Development Agency to Launch 21 Data Transport Satellites

Space Development Agency to Launch 21 Data Transport Satellites

The Space Development Agency is set to launch 21 Tranche 1 data transport satellites on Oct. 5—its fourth Tranche 1 mission since last fall and the first to carry Northrop Grumman-built satellites.  The launch is scheduled for 1:15 a.m. local time from Vandenberg Space Force Base, Calif., on a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket. Once in orbit, the 21 spacecraft will join 63 Tranche 1 satellites built by York Space Systems and Lockheed Martin. The mission …

Next SDA launch comes as first satellites are deorbiting

(Editor's Note: This story has been updated with a statement from Lockheed Martin.) The Space Development Agency plans to launch the next slate of its Proliferated Warfighter Space Architecture satellites Monday as it has already begun to deorbit its Tranche 0 demonstration constellation. SDA is expecting to launch its fourth slate of Tranche 1 Transport Layer satellites -- made by Northrop Grumman -- at 1:15 a.m. PT on Oct. 5 from Vandenberg Sp…

Fourth SDA Tranche 1 Mission Set To Launch From Vandenberg SFB Early Monday Morning

VANDENBERG SPACE FORCE BASE, Calif. (KEYT) – A Falcon 9 launch of the Space Development Agency's fourth Tranche 1 mission is scheduled to launch early Monday morning. Liftoff on the mission is currently scheduled for 1:17 a.m. on Monday, Oct. 5, 2026, and a backup window has been designated for the following day, Tuesday, Oct.