SES-STA-INTR2025-02682 [May 23]QuoteKongsberg Satellite Services AS (“KSAT”) provides this information pursuant to Section 25.120 of the Commission’s rules1 to supplement its request for a 180-day special temporary authorization (“STA”) for its earth station in Fairbanks, Alaska (“Station”) in order to support launch and early orbit-phase operations (“LEOPs”) of USPWSA-T1TL satellites supplied by Northrop Grumman Corporation (“Satellites”). [...]The Satellites will be launched in two batches, 21 satellites per launch, with the first launch expected to occur no earlier than September 8, 2025. The second launch may also occur within the 180-day STA period. The requested STA is expected to cover LEOPs for the two satellite launches. LEOPs for the Satellites is expected to take 90 to 120 days post-launch.The Satellites will be in a 1,000 km circular non-geostationary orbit, inclined at 81.3 degrees.
Kongsberg Satellite Services AS (“KSAT”) provides this information pursuant to Section 25.120 of the Commission’s rules1 to supplement its request for a 180-day special temporary authorization (“STA”) for its earth station in Fairbanks, Alaska (“Station”) in order to support launch and early orbit-phase operations (“LEOPs”) of USPWSA-T1TL satellites supplied by Northrop Grumman Corporation (“Satellites”). [...]The Satellites will be launched in two batches, 21 satellites per launch, with the first launch expected to occur no earlier than September 8, 2025. The second launch may also occur within the 180-day STA period. The requested STA is expected to cover LEOPs for the two satellite launches. LEOPs for the Satellites is expected to take 90 to 120 days post-launch.The Satellites will be in a 1,000 km circular non-geostationary orbit, inclined at 81.3 degrees.
Those two companies, along with Northrop Grumman were issued contracts to build out this pice of the PWSA satellite constellation, which will consist of 126 total satellites. Following the launch in September, Col. Ryan Hiserote, the U.S. Space Force’s Space Systems Command’s devision chief in the Assured Access to Space directorate, said that Northrop Grumman’s satellites will fly on the forthcoming T1TL-A mission.
“The first three missions (A, B, and C) as to their order of launches are interchangeable,” Hiserote said in a statement to Spaceflight Now.
180-day STA for Fairbanks, AK Earth Station for LEOPs for York-supplied USPWSA-T1TL Satellites
2nd 30-day STA for Fairbanks, AK Earth Station for LEOPs for York-supplied USPWSA-T1TL Satellites
SES-STA-20251117-00943 [Nov 18]Quote180-day STA for Fairbanks, AK Earth Station for LEOPs for York-supplied USPWSA-T1TL SatellitesSES-STA-20251117-00661 [Nov 18]Quote2nd 30-day STA for Fairbanks, AK Earth Station for LEOPs for York-supplied USPWSA-T1TL SatellitesRequires an FCC account to view narrative.
SDA Back on Track to Award Satellite Contracts After Funds Went to Troop Shutdown PayDec. 5, 2025[...]The agency had planned additional launches this year, but the spokesman told Air & Space Forces Magazine that a “software readiness issue” and launch logistics challenges—including limited access to payload processing facilities—have delayed further missions until early 2026. [...]
The company is on course to deliver 150 satellites as part of Tranches 1, 2 and 3 that will enhance the capabilities of PWSA. The first plane of Northrop Grumman’s Transport Layer of Tranche 1 satellites is scheduled for launch in early 2026.
Northrop Grumman Selected for Space Development Agency’s TRKT3 Mission [Dec 19] QuoteThe company is on course to deliver 150 satellites as part of Tranches 1, 2 and 3 that will enhance the capabilities of PWSA. The first plane of Northrop Grumman’s Transport Layer of Tranche 1 satellites is scheduled for launch in early 2026.
SES-STA-20251209-01010 [Dec 9]This launch is now NET Mid-FebruaryQuote3rd 180-day STA for Fairbanks, AK Earth Station for LEOPS for NGC-supplied USPWSA-T1TL Satellites
3rd 180-day STA for Fairbanks, AK Earth Station for LEOPS for NGC-supplied USPWSA-T1TL Satellites
Kongsberg Satellite Services AS (“KSAT”) requests an additional 180-day special temporary authorization (“STA”)1 for its earth station in Fairbanks, Alaska (“Station”) in order to support launch and early orbit-phase operations (“LEOPs”) of USPWSA-T1TL satellites supplied by Northrop Grumman Corporation (“Satellites”) for the U.S. Space Development Agency (“SDA”). The first launch for the Satellites is currently scheduled for mid-February 2026.KSAT respectfully requests that the STA be granted by February 13, 2026 for a term of February 13, 2026 to August 11, 2026. Grant of this STA request is mission-critical to the commissioning of these Satellites for SDA.
The Satellites will be launched in two batches, 21 satellites per launch. The second launch may occur within the term of this STA or will be covered in a subsequent STA request. LEOPs for the Satellites is expected to take 90 to 120 days post-launch.The Satellites are expected to be in a 995.26 km circular non-geostationary orbit, inclined at 81.28 degrees.
Inside our high bay, satellites for proliferated LEO take shape — built efficiently, in volume, and engineered to support a layered, integrated defense. http://ms.spr.ly/6013tF2dH
Fleets of satellites, built at scale and speed on our revamped assembly line. We are meeting critical mission needs by using our decades of expertise to rapidly deliver more satellites today to the @SemperCitiusSDA. http://ms.spr.ly/6012t7p0j
In 2026, Northrop Grumman plans to deliver 58 satellites for SDA’s first operational tranche and is working in parallel on the next generation, applying emerging technology to keep ahead of the threat.
Northrop is starting to share more information on their satellites as the 1st launch approaches.58 satellites = 42 Transport satellites + 14 Tracking + 2 Demonstration (launch with Tracking)
Quote from: AndrewM on 01/20/2026 01:32 amNorthrop is starting to share more information on their satellites as the 1st launch approaches.58 satellites = 42 Transport satellites + 14 Tracking + 2 Demonstration (launch with Tracking)It's a great set video of these. Close-up too. But I'll have a good laugh when SpaceX announces it won't show the second stage due to the customer's request.
