SDA LEO Constellations

[gongora]

https://www.sda.mil/sda-issues-solicitation-under-other-transaction-authorities-in-support-of-tranche-1-transport-layer/
Proposals due Nov. 24

https://sam.gov/opp/5de005e90b974747a485674c766db492/view

[su27k]

Space Development Agency’s request for bids challenged for ‘risk’ imposed on contractors

Maxar Technologies decided to challenge a Defense Department procurement of 126 satellites because of the financial burden the program imposed on contractors, the company said.

Maxar believed that the terms of the Space Development Agency’s satellite buy “unduly burdened industry, favoring larger companies willing and able to take greater financial burden and risk,” a company spokesperson said in a statement Oct. 28 after SDA announced it was canceling the solicitation for the Transport Layer Tranche 1, a mesh network of small communications satellites in low Earth orbit projected to start launching in 2024.

The protest was dismissed Oct. 28 by the Government Accountability Office after SDA took down the request for proposals. The agency on the same day reissued the RFP under a different contracting method called Other Transaction Authority (OTA) that gives government buyers more leeway to run programs using commercial practices rather than the standard federal procurement processes.

[su27k]

DoD space agency making contingency plans in case Congress doesn’t pass a budget

The Space Development Agency’s plans to launch 20 satellites and procure an additional 126 over the coming year could be derailed if Congress doesn’t pass a budget when temporary funding expires in February, the agency’s director Derek Tournear said Dec. 6.

Congress passed a stopgap spending bill, or continuing resolution, on Dec. 3 that funds the U.S. government until Feb. 18. Under a CR, federal agencies can continue to operate but their funding is frozen at the previous year’s levels.

The Dec. 3 CR is the second Congress approved since the start of the current fiscal year Oct. 1. As pitched political battles continue on Capitol Hill, DoD worries that Congress will continue to extend temporary funding and not pass a full-year appropriations for the remainder of fiscal year 2022.

An extended CR would be especially bad news for SDA because its proposed funding for 2022 is much higher than it was in 2021.

[su27k]

Space Development Agency to acquire 28 missile-tracking satellites to launch in late 2024

The Pentagon’s Space Development Agency is planning a new procurement of satellites that will be part of a global constellation of missile-tracking space sensors.

The agency is looking to buy 28 satellites for the constellation known as Tracking Layer Tranche 1, according to a Dec. 6 draft solicitation.

These 28 spacecraft, projected to start launching in late 2024, would expand the Tracking Layer Tranche 0, a batch of eight missile-detecting satellites currently being produced by L3Harris and SpaceX for launch in 2023.

[gongora]

Space Development Agency Makes Awards for 126 Satellites to Build Tranche 1 Transport Layer

FEB. 28, 2022
With Industry Onboard, National Defense Space Architecture Ready to Take Shape

The Space Development Agency (SDA) today announced the awards of three prototype agreements worth approximately $1.8 billion to establish the foundation for Tranche 1 Transport Layer (T1TL), a mesh network of 126 optically-interconnected space vehicles (SV) that will provide a resilient, low-latency, high-volume data transport communication system, and be ready for launch starting in September 2024.

These agreements are awarded to York Space Systems, Lockheed Martin Space, and Northrop Grumman Space Systems to each build and demonstrate effectiveness for two near-polar low Earth orbital planes of the six-plane T1TL, which forms the initial warfighting capability tranche of the National Defense Space Architecture (NDSA).

“These awards will drive delivery of the NDSA’s data and communications Transport Layer through a proliferated constellation of relatively small, mass-producible space vehicles in low Earth orbit,” said Derek Tournear, SDA director. “Through our solicitations, we aim to create a marketplace through two-year spiral development and regular, full and open solicitations for each tranche so that industry can plan, develop and grow accordingly. We look forward to collaborating with our industry partners to deliver the capabilities the warfighter needs through Tranche 1 and beyond.”

Tranche 1 Transport Layer will leverage and proliferate the capabilities being demonstrated in Tranche 0 Transport Layer with targeted technology enhancements, mission-focused payload configurations, increased integration, and greater production efficiencies. The T1TL will provide global communications access and deliver persistent regional encrypted connectivity in support of warfighter missions around the globe by serving as the backbone for Joint All Domain Command and Control (JADC2) built on low-latency data transport, sensor-to-shooter connectivity, and direct-to-weapon platforms connectivity.

York Space Systems, Denver, is awarded a prototype agreement with a potential value of approximately $382 million to execute a research and development program for the development of a T1TL prototype constellation consisting of 42 satellites in two near-polar low Earth orbital planes (21 SVs for each orbital plane). The proposal was received and evaluated under an Other Transaction Authorities solicitation SDA-PS-22-01. “We are honored to again have SDA’s confidence in executing the agency’s vision,” said Dirk Wallinger, chief executive officer, York Space Systems. “Their competitive, fixed-price procurements leverage York's private capital investments to deliver low-risk, industry-leading constellations today and well into the future." The Space Development Agency is the contracting activity (HQ08502290003).

Lockheed Martin Corporation, Littleton, Colo., is awarded a prototype agreement with a potential value of approximately $700 million to execute a research and development program for the development of a T1TL prototype constellation consisting of 42 satellites in two near-polar low Earth orbital planes (21 SVs for each orbital plane). The proposal was received and evaluated under an Other Transaction Authorities solicitation SDA-PS-22-01. “Our team at Lockheed Martin is thrilled to be awarded a T1TL contract,” said Erik Daehler, Protected Communications Mission Area leader at Lockheed Martin Space. “We’re looking forward to building upon our team’s success on Tranche 0 by approaching Tranche 1 with modernized and streamlined processes that do more, cost less and achieve mission goals faster. Producing these innovative spacecraft will be a collaborative effort, with Lockheed Martin using its longstanding partnerships to deliver high-quality products that will provide the right capabilities to the warfighter.” The Space Development Agency is the contracting activity (HQ08502290001).

Northrop Grumman Strategic Space Systems, Redondo Beach, Calif., is awarded a prototype agreement with potential value of approximately $692 million to execute a research and development program for the development of a T1TL prototype constellation consisting of 42 satellites in two near-polar low Earth orbital planes (21 SVs for each orbital plane).  The proposal was received and evaluated under an Other Transaction Authorities solicitation SDA-PS-22-01. “Northrop Grumman recognizes information on the modern battlefield must be delivered to our warfighters at the speed of relevance,” said Robert Fleming, vice president and general manager, Strategic Space Systems. “Our T1TL solution combines proven end-to-end satellite system integration and heritage communication mission expertise accumulated over decades, across multiple orbital regimes to rapidly field these critical capabilities to warfighters in the field.” The Space Development Agency is the contracting activity (HQ08502290002).

About the Space Development Agency. Recognized as DOD’s constructive disruptor for space acquisition, SDA will accelerate delivery of needed space-based capabilities to the joint warfighter to support terrestrial missions through development, fielding, and operation of the National Defense Space Architecture. For more information on SDA, contact [email protected] or visit https://www.sda.mil. 

[Asteroza]

Did SpaceX bid for T1TL?

[gongora]

Did SpaceX bid for T1TL?

They haven't released a list of bidders.

[jongoff]

Did SpaceX bid for T1TL?

I'd be surprised if they didn't. I know most of the T1L1 competitors I spoke with were assuming SpaceX was bidding.

~Jon

[gongora]

I'm not sure the SpaceX bus would be the best fit for this contract, and doing a new bus might not be really worth it at those prices?

[butters]

Would Starlink 2.0's laser interconnects meet the requirements for this constellation? Does SDA have requirements like full "demisability" on reentry that SpaceX had to fulfill for Starlink?

It seems difficult to serve two masters, especially when several of the bidders are willing to cater exclusively to SDA's requirements. Maxar wasn't happy about how this procurement was originally structured, then it was canceled and reissued under Other Transaction Authorities, and Maxar apparently didn't make out any better in the end than SpaceX. They're both more commercially-focused.

[edzieba]

I'm not sure the SpaceX bus would be the best fit for this contract, and doing a new bus might not be really worth it at those prices?

They already have a new large bus design for their Tracking Layer satellites, which host optical transponders compatible with the Transport Layer.

[gongora]

I'm not sure the SpaceX bus would be the best fit for this contract, and doing a new bus might not be really worth it at those prices?

They already have a new large bus design for their Tracking Layer satellites, which host optical transponders compatible with the Transport Layer.

Yes, exactly.

[Asteroza]

I'm not sure the SpaceX bus would be the best fit for this contract, and doing a new bus might not be really worth it at those prices?

They already have a new large bus design for their Tracking Layer satellites, which host optical transponders compatible with the Transport Layer.

Yes, exactly.

But wouldn't that bus be dependent on Starship though? Would SDA allow that, given it isn't flying yet?

[edzieba]

I'm not sure the SpaceX bus would be the best fit for this contract, and doing a new bus might not be really worth it at those prices?

They already have a new large bus design for their Tracking Layer satellites, which host optical transponders compatible with the Transport Layer.

Yes, exactly.

But wouldn't that bus be dependent on Starship though?

The Tracking Layer Tranche-0 satellites have already been contracted for launch on Falcon.

[gongora]

https://twitter.com/lmnews/status/1541443738584711169

Last week, @LockheedMartin received the last piece of hardware for the first of 10 satellites the company will produce and deliver this fall for Tranche 0 of the Space Development Agency’s Transport Layer.

[gongora]

Tracking Layer Tranche 1 contracts were awarded to Northrop Grumman and L3Harris for 14 satellites each, launching in 2025.


Space Development Agency Makes Awards for 28 Satellites to Build Tranche 1 Tracking Layer
JULY 18, 2022

National Defense Space Architecture Tracking Layer Accelerated

The Space Development Agency (SDA) today announced the award of two prototype agreements with a total potential value over $1.3 billion for the establishment of the Tranche 1 (T1) Tracking Layer, providing the initial missile warning/missile tracking warfighting capability of the National Defense Space Architecture (NDSA). These satellites will begin to launch in April 2025.

The agreements are awarded to teams led by L3Harris Technologies, Inc. of Melbourne, Fla. and Northrop Grumman Strategic Space Systems of Redondo Beach, Calif. to each build a space segment consisting of two planes with seven space vehicles per plane – 14 satellites from each performer for a total of 28 satellites in four planes – to collect infrared data and provide network communications. Each agreement includes a launch services segment for launch preparation, and a ground segment for operations and sustainment.

These prototypes will provide global and persistent indications, detection, warning, tracking, and identification of conventional and advanced missile threats, including hypersonic missile systems.

“The T1 Tracking Layer effort is a critical step toward building the National Defense Space Architecture,” said Derek Tournear, SDA director. “SDA is confident that selection of the L3 Harris and Northrop Grumman teams provides the best overall solution to accelerate delivery of a low-Earth orbit constellation with wide-field-of-view infrared sensors for a global missile warning and missile tracking capability in Tranche 1, on schedule. I’m pleased to see our industry partners building the marketplace necessary to quickly deliver new space capabilities to the warfighter.”

The Tranche 1 Tracking Layer will build upon the Tranche 0 Tracking Layer capabilities with targeted technology enhancements, expanded coverage, increased integration, established calibration processes, and greater production efficiencies. The Tracking Layer is focused on developing a global constellation of infrared missile warning and missile tracking satellites that integrate with the Transport Layer’s low-latency meshed communication network, enabling conventional and advanced missile tracking from proliferated low-Earth orbit.

The Tranche 1 Tracking Layer satellites will be flown out of SDA’s Operations and Integration Centers at Grand Forks Air Force Base, N.D. and Redstone Arsenal, Ala.

In fiscal year 2022 Congress provided SDA $550 million in additional funding to accelerate deployment of the Tracking Layer, with specific direction to demonstrate a space-based missile warning, tracking, and targeting capability in support of U.S. Indo-Pacific Command. The vision for the NDSA includes fielding a system that provides a resilient global capability to all combatant commands as rapidly and affordably as possible.

SDA published the Tranche 1 Tracking Layer solicitation on March 17, two days after the President signed the fiscal year 2022 appropriations bill into law. Leveraging Other Transaction Authority, SDA completed a competitive source selection and finalized the agreements within four months of the published solicitation.   

“The speed with which SDA pursued this effort is commendable, given the severity of the hypersonic missile threat,” said Christopher E. Kubasik, L3Harris Chair and Chief Executive Officer. “This prime contract is a testament to our growing impact in the space community, and affirms our strategy of being a Trusted Disruptor is gaining traction.”

“Northrop Grumman brings decades of proven experience in missile detection, identification, tracking and communication systems,” said Robert Fleming, Northrop’s Vice President and General Manager of the Strategic Space Systems Division. “We look forward to working with the Space Development Agency and our industry partners on the nation’s most pressing challenges in missile defense.”

L3 Harris is awarded a prototype agreement with a potential value of approximately $700 million and Northrop Grumman Strategic Space Systems’ award has a potential value of approximately $617 million. The proposal was received and evaluated under Other Transaction Authorities solicitation SDA-PS-22-02. The Space Development Agency of Washington, DC is the contracting activity (HQ08502290003).

About the Space Development Agency. Recognized as DOD’s constructive disruptor for space acquisition, SDA will accelerate delivery of needed space-based capabilities to the joint warfighter to support terrestrial missions through development, fielding, and operation of the National Defense Space Architecture. For more information on SDA, contact [email protected] or visit https://www.sda.mil.

[edzieba]

Looks like SpaceX is out of the Tracking Layer. Wonder if it was a no-bid or they were just not selected?

[Asteroza]

Looks like SpaceX is out of the Tracking Layer. Wonder if it was a no-bid or they were just not selected?

Possibly a strategic supply chain diversity issue to not select SpaceX, since they have Starlink already, so need to keep something different alive?

[gongora]

There were 7 bidders, so they may just have lost.  The satellite bus might not be as expensive as the payload on these sats, and it was commented that the SpaceX bus in Tranche 0 was larger than really necessary for the mission because of their commoditized bus design (everything else in Tranche 0 and probably Tranche 1 can launch from ESPA rings).  It's the whole bus/payload/integration package that matters.

[Robotbeat]

There were 7 bidders, so they may just have lost.  The satellite bus might not be as expensive as the payload on these sats, and it was commented that the SpaceX bus in Tranche 0 was larger than really necessary for the mission because of their commoditized bus design (everything else in Tranche 0 and probably Tranche 1 can launch from ESPA rings).  It's the whole bus/payload/integration package that matters.

That and even if you assume SpaceX is always superior (which obviously isn't true as there are some things that others are better at), if SpaceX wins every single bid due to massively lower cost, they're probably leaving money on the table more often than they should.