Author Topic: SDA LEO Constellations  (Read 40008 times)

Online Ronsmytheiii

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SDA LEO Constellations
« on: 01/08/2019 09:13 pm »
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This Special Notice is issued to advise interested parties within the U.S. space technology base that the Missile Defense Agency (MDA) Space Systems (SS) Program Office anticipates the release of the initial Request for Prototype Proposal (RPP) for the Space Sensor Layer (SSL) Phase IIa - Prototype Payload Design and Signal-chain Processing Risk Reduction Demonstration Project via the Space Enterprise Consortium (SpEC) Other Transaction (OT) Agreement. SSL Phase IIa encompasses a Preliminary Concept Review (PCR) with a signal-chain processing (SCP) demonstration. (SSL was formerly referred to as Missile Defense Tracking System (MTS). The objective of SSL is to develop and test sensing capabilities that will become a part of a Resilient Integrated Multi-tier Overhead Persistent Infrared Enterprise Architecture, addressing warfighter requirements. SSL will be an integral part of a future operational space layer. The RPP will solicit prototype proposals under the authority of 10 U.S.C. § 2371b for the competitive award of Project Awards/Agreements. The resulting Project Awards/Agreements will not constitute a procurement contract, cooperative agreement or grant agreement for purposes of Federal Acquisition Regulations (FAR) Subsection 31.205-18, or for any other purpose.

https://www.fbo.gov/index?s=opportunity&mode=form&id=8826d036ebe96edde4c83fc05edd1afe&tab=core&_cview=1

So basically the US Missile Defense Agency is developing a satellite sensor constellation, looks like a promising program.
« Last Edit: 05/22/2020 04:22 pm by gongora »

Offline russianhalo117

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Re: SDA LEO Constellations
« Reply #1 on: 04/03/2020 04:23 pm »

New next generation USSF data relay satellite system (temporary: USDRSS) presently lacks a formal name. They will have some level of design commonality with NRO's next generation data relay satellite system which is also on the horizon. The NRO sats will have additional features and capabilities.
LINK: https://www.airforcemag.com/sdas-first-satellites-aim-to-enable-jadc2/

Online gongora

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Re: SDA LEO Constellations
« Reply #2 on: 04/03/2020 04:32 pm »
SDA Space Transport Layer Tranche 0 DRAFT RFP

This will be interesting.  There are two varieties of spacecraft in this initial group.  Type A has four optical interconnects (in-plane and out-of-plane) and will be able to communicate over the military's IBS network, including optical to a ground station.  Type B has two optical interconnects (in-plane) and will be able to communicate of the military's Link 16 network.  Price is the highest rated factor (at least in the draft RFP, we'll see what the final RFP looks like.)  It's likely no one will be able to do everything from scratch in-house for this timeframe, and the architecture is supposed to be modular in places, so expect some teaming for subcomponents.

Online Ronsmytheiii

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Re: SDA LEO Constellations
« Reply #3 on: 04/19/2020 09:45 am »
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The Space Development Agency plans to award contracts for a mesh network in space this August, with the expectation that an initial batch of 20 satellites will be placed on orbit during summer 2022. The agency expects to release a request for proposals for the contracts May 1.

https://www.c4isrnet.com/battlefield-tech/space/2020/04/06/the-pentagon-will-solicit-its-first-mesh-network-in-space-may-1/

Offline TrevorMonty

Re: SDA LEO Constellations
« Reply #4 on: 04/19/2020 07:53 pm »
Quote
The Space Development Agency plans to award contracts for a mesh network in space this August, with the expectation that an initial batch of 20 satellites will be placed on orbit during summer 2022. The agency expects to release a request for proposals for the contracts May 1.

https://www.c4isrnet.com/battlefield-tech/space/2020/04/06/the-pentagon-will-solicit-its-first-mesh-network-in-space-may-1/
I can see SpaceX and Amazon competiting for this, both planning to use optical crosslink mesh network on their constellations.

"
According to Tournear, the agency has six goals for its Trache 0 Transport Layer:

Demonstrate low latency data transport to the war fighter over the optical crosslink mesh network.
Demonstrate the ability to deliver data from a space sensor to the war fighter via the Transport Layer.
Demonstrate a limited battle management C2 functionality.
Transfer Integrated Broadcast System data across the mesh network to the war fighterStore, relay and transmit Link-16 data over the network in near real time.
Operate a timing signature independent of GPS references to the US Naval Observatory.
"

Online gongora

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Re: SDA LEO Constellations
« Reply #5 on: 05/08/2020 03:06 am »
The Transport Layer RFP was released May 1, with responses due June 1 and awards made around August.
https://beta.sam.gov/opp/525b25327f3441d6bdcf80a52877edf0/view

Online gongora

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Re: SDA LEO Constellations
« Reply #6 on: 05/08/2020 03:08 am »
A relevant quote from a recent article:
[Air Force Magazine] NORTHCOM: More Training, Improved Comms Needed for Arctic Operations
Quote
In addition to the presence and training capacity, the military needs to improve its communication infrastructure in the Arctic. Right now, above 65 degrees north latitude, the military’s “traditional means of communication really start breaking down,” O’Shaughnessy said.

At 70 degrees, all except the “most exquisite” communications means are broken down, he added.

The ongoing proliferation of military communications capability in low-Earth orbit will help address this issue “in the relatively near future,” O’Shaughnessy said, adding that it is “critical as we move forward.”

Online gongora

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Re: SDA LEO Constellations
« Reply #7 on: 05/22/2020 04:24 pm »
"The Pentagon’s Space Development Agency is designing a network of satellites in low Earth orbit and anticipates the first 30 spacecraft will be ready to launch by 2022."

https://spacenews.com/space-development-agency-scouting-the-market-for-launch-services/
Link to launch RFI: https://beta.sam.gov/opp/a63aa538dfba449f93315a9d3b9bac87/view

There is also a draft RFP for the first part of the Tracking Layer, which is for up to eight infrared WFOV missile tracking sats.  I still need to read it. 
https://beta.sam.gov/opp/3ceeb4a533e44f72ae18288f50c647ed/view
« Last Edit: 05/22/2020 05:14 pm by gongora »

Online Targeteer

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Re: SDA LEO Constellations
« Reply #8 on: 05/22/2020 11:16 pm »
Related to several of the above?

SPACE DEVELOPMENT AGENCY

Goodrich Corp., doing business as Collins Aerospace, Danbury, Connecticut, was awarded a $19,057,548 not-to-exceed, undefinitized contract action for the Multi-band Overhead Persistent Infrared Payload (MBOP) effort. MBOP is a flight ready satellite payload with a unique, advantageous modular sensor configuration. The proposal was received and evaluated under broad agency announcement HQ0850-20-S-0001. Work will be performed at the contractor's facility in Danbury, Connecticut, with an estimated completion date of May 22, 2022. Fiscal 2020 research and development funds in the amount of $6,500,000 were obligated at the time of award. Space Development Agency, Washington, D.C., is the contracting activity (HQ0850-20-C-0004).
Best quote heard during an inspection, "I was unaware that I was the only one who was aware."

Offline su27k

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Re: SDA LEO Constellations
« Reply #9 on: 07/10/2020 12:13 pm »
On National Security | The promise and perils of LEO constellations

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To ensure the PLEO satellite architectures envisioned by Griffin and the Space Development Agency provide their own deterrence, DoD would need a ready supply of replacement satellites and rapid access to launch services so constellations can be replenished quickly and inexpensively.

“That is one of the most important things they can do: change the space-lift equation,” he says.

Right now, it generally takes years to get a DoD satellite off the ground. One of the Space Force’s challenges, Martindale said, will be to make space launch more like Air Force air operations, where the time line from identifying a target to launching an airstrike is usually measured in minutes or hours.

Maybe that’s not realistic in space, says Martindale. But it should be days or weeks. It can’t be years.

Online gongora

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Re: SDA LEO Constellations
« Reply #10 on: 08/31/2020 10:10 pm »
https://twitter.com/Sandra_I_Erwin/status/1300543746564665344
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Breaking news: The Pentagon’s Space Development Agency selects Lockheed Martin and York Space Systems to produce a constellation of satellites in low-Earth orbit for military use. Lockheed won a $187.5 million contract. York received a $94 million contract.

https://twitter.com/Sandra_I_Erwin/status/1300554240272760833
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SDA Director Derek Tournear just told reporters each company will make 10 satellites with inter-satellite optical links. All 20 will be launched in Sept. 2022

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SPACE DEVELOPMENT AGENCY

Lockheed Martin Corp., Littleton, Colorado, is awarded a $187,542,461 firm-fixed-price contract for the Space Development Agency Transport Layer Tranche 0.  The proposal was received and evaluated under request for proposal HQ0850-20-R-0001.  The work to be performed under this contract will include on-time delivery of space vehicles and paths to optical intersatellite link interoperability success.  Work will be performed in Littleton, Colorado (54.2%); Irvine, California (24.4%); Backnang, Germany (10.6%); Centennial, Colorado (5.9%); Camarillo, California (1.3%); San Diego, California (1.3%); Tempe, Arizona (0.7%); Quebec, Canada (0.5%); Madrid, Spain (0.4%); Cedar Rapids, Iowa (0.3%); Annapolis Junction, Maryland (0.2%); Bedford, New Hampshire. (0.2%); and Ottawa, Canada (0.1%).  Fiscal 2020 defense wide research, development, test and evaluation funds will be obligated at the time of award.  The Space Development Agency, Washington, D.C., is the contracting activity (HQ0850-20-C-0009).

York Space Systems,* Denver, Colorado, is awarded a $94,036,666 firm-fixed-price contract for the Space Development Agency Transport Layer Tranche 0.  The proposal was received and evaluated under request for proposal HQ0850-20-R-0001.  The work to be performed under this contract will include on-time delivery of space vehicles and paths to optical intersatellite link interoperability success.  Work will be performed in Denver, Colorado (45.5%); San Diego, California (13.4%); Los Gatos, California (11.0%); Carlsbad, California (9.0%); Los Angeles, California (6.5%); Scottsdale, Arizona (4.4%); Longmont, Colorado (4.1%); Bothell, Washington (3.3%); and Colorado Springs, Colorado (2.8%).  Fiscal 2020 defense wide research, development, test and evaluation funds will be obligated at the time of award.  The Space Development Agency, Washington, D.C., is the contracting activity (HQ0850-20-C-0008).

Online Ronsmytheiii

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Re: SDA LEO Constellations
« Reply #11 on: 09/01/2020 05:06 am »
https://spacenews.com/lockheed-martin-york-space-win-contracts-to-produce-20-satellites-for-space-development-agency/

Quote
Lockheed Martin and York Space are the first contractors selected but more will be picked in later tranches, said Tournear. “We’ll be soliciting every two years,” he said. SDA satellites will be vendor neutral, meaning that they all have to be to talk to each other regardless of who builds them.

Online gongora

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Re: SDA LEO Constellations
« Reply #12 on: 09/04/2020 02:23 pm »
https://twitter.com/pbdes/status/1301869849384226816
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German sat lasercom builders @mynaric, @TesatSpacecom on competing teams for Space Development Agency constellation orders w/ @YorkSpaceSystem, @LockheedMartin. @SAPhotonics also on York team. Decade-long @DLR_de effort to penetrate US market may be about to pay off.

Online gongora

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Re: SDA LEO Constellations
« Reply #13 on: 10/03/2020 04:43 pm »
SpaceX has won an $149M contract from Uncle Sam to detect and track missile systems, particularly hypersonic missiles. It's for up to 8 satellites. Presumably the satellites will be Starlink-derived.
 
https://beta.sam.gov/opp/107a9e2ef34a455a8894c2dc7be5fad1/view 
 
Here's a description of the contract: 
 
Quote
The Space Development Agency (SDA) is responsible for orchestrating the DoD's future threat-driven space architecture and accelerating the development and fielding of new military space capabilities necessary to ensure our technological and military advantage in space for national defense. To achieve this mission, SDA will unify and integrate next-generation space capabilities to deliver the National Defense Space Architecture (NDSA), a resilient military sensing and data transport capability via a proliferated space architecture primarily in Low Earth Orbit (LEO).

SDA's Tracking Layer will provide global indications, warning and tracking of advanced missile threats, including hypersonic missile systems. For Tranche 0 (the "warfighter immersion" tranche), two (2) programs will collaborate in the tracking layer: a Wide Field of View (WFOV) program focusing on technologies necessary to populate a proliferated LEO constellation and a Medium Field of View (MFOV) program focusing on technologies necessary for additional performance.  The WFOV satellites are planned to be fielded in late FY22 and the MFOV satellites are planned to be fielded in mid-FY23; both sets of satellites will provide complementary mission data to C2 and operational interfaces.
 
This Request for Proposal (RFP) is for the WFOV program.  Please see the attachments for details.
 
 
source: https://beta.sam.gov/opp/66971f395b1f45c79381e013bbf0c88f/view?keywords=hq085020r0003&sort=-relevance&index=&is_active=true&page=1

There was also a similar award to L3 Harris

Contract Award Date: Oct 02, 2020
Contract Award Number: HQ085021C0002
Contractor Awarded Name: L3HARRIS TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
Base and All Options Value (Total Contract Value): $193599342.00

https://beta.sam.gov/opp/b710065afbb14bc3a55e94d724542ba4/view

If those are the two main contracts for that part of Tranche 0, then some of that contract money will probably be going to subcontractors for various systems on the satellites.  They could even be required to outsource parts of the spacecraft.  One of the goals of Tranche 0 is to develop more modular spacecraft/payloads/ground systems that can interoperate with each other.

Online gongora

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Re: SDA LEO Constellations
« Reply #14 on: 10/05/2020 09:43 pm »
Quote
SpaceX, L3Harris win Space Development Agency contracts to build missile-warning satellites
by Sandra Erwin — October 5, 2020

SDA Director Derek Tournear said SpaceX “came in with an extremely credible proposal” that leverages the Starlink assembly line
WASHINGTON — The Space Development Agency awarded SpaceX a $149 million contract and L3Harris a $193.5 million contract to each build four satellites to detect and track ballistic and hypersonic missiles.

https://spacenews.com/spacex-l3harris-win-space-development-agency-contracts-to-build-missile-warning-satellites/

Edit to add: due to launch in 2022

Online gongora

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Online gongora

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Online gongora

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Re: SDA LEO Constellations
« Reply #17 on: 10/07/2020 12:58 am »
The launch RFP was published today.  Bids due early next month.  Looks like it would probably be around two RTLS flights on a Falcon 9?  Not an NSSL contract, so that opens up the bidding possibilities.

Offline king1999

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Re: SDA LEO Constellations
« Reply #18 on: 10/08/2020 04:12 am »
The launch RFP was published today.  Bids due early next month.  Looks like it would probably be around two RTLS flights on a Falcon 9?  Not an NSSL contract, so that opens up the bidding possibilities.

That falls nicely in Falcon 9's domain. No doubt SpaceX will get at least one launch.

Online gongora

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Re: SDA LEO Constellations
« Reply #19 on: 10/08/2020 04:22 am »
The launch RFP is for a single launch provider.  The number of launches can vary based on that provider's vehicles.

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