Space Development Agency asks SpaceX and L3Harris to develop missile-defense satellites for Tracking Layer
WASHINGTON – Officials of the U.S. Space Development Agency (SDA) in Washington have awarded two contracts for the first generation of the Tracking Layer. These awards represent the next steps toward developing the National Defense Space Architecture’s inaugural tranche, called Tranche 0. SDA reports. Continue reading original article
The Military & Aerospace Electronics take:
8 Oct. 2020 -- When operational, the SDA Tracking Layer will have a constellation of wide-field-of-view satellites that provide global persistent surveillance.
These contracts seek to develop the first eight low-cost satellites ti provide missile warning and tracking information to national defense authorities, and tracking and cueing data for missile defense.
Contracts went to Space Exploration Technologies Corporation (SpaceX) in Hawthorne, Calif., and to L3Harris Technologies Inc. in Melbourne, Fla. SpaceX won a $149.2 million contract, and L3Harris won a $193.6 million contract.
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John Keller, chief editor
Military & Aerospace Electronics
