US Space Development Agency to Start Missile Tracking by 2025

The Department of Defense plans to deliver advanced missile-tracking capabilities to combatant commanders by the end of 2025.

Derek Tournear, Director of the Space Development Agency, outlined the current status and future plans for the agency’s satellite programs at a recent conference in Arlington, Virginia.The Space Development Agency (SDA) has successfully launched 27 demonstration satellites,

with one remaining on the ground for testing and updates. These satellites, part of the Proliferated Warfighter Space Architecture (PWSA), are in low Earth orbit (LEO) and are intended to bolster national security.

Currently, the SDA is in the initial phase of deployment, known as Tranche 0, which focuses on demonstrating new technologies and validating capabilities. A notable achievement from this phase is the successful deployment of Link 16 from space. This secure military communications system enables real-time data exchange among U.S. and coalition forces, marking the first time Link 16 has been used from space. The technology has been tested with Australian partners and a U.S. Navy aircraft carrier, with plans for future tests involving Norway.

Tranche 0 also addressed whether missile tracking could be effectively performed from low Earth orbit despite space clutter and the challenge of tracking dim missiles. According to Tournear, the satellites have successfully tracked missile and rocket targets, including a SpaceX launch and several classified missile launches.

Additionally, Tranche 0 tested and successfully demonstrated the creation of an optical network using laser communications, with two tracking satellites maintaining links for several hours.

Looking ahead, Tranche 1 is expected to begin around the end of this year. Meanwhile, Tranche 2 is in the design phase, with launches projected to start around September 2026. The ongoing work on Tranche 3 will focus on replenishing earlier satellites, as these have a design life of approximately five years.