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SDA transport layer

Space Development Agency Launches 21 Data Transport Satellites

Oct. 15, 2025 | By Courtney Albon
The Space Development Agency added 21 satellites to its nascent data transport network in an Oct. 15 launch, the second mission in a 10-month campaign to field 154 operational spacecraft.

Pentagon Still in ‘Active Debate’ Over the Future of Space Data Transport

Sept. 24, 2025 | By Courtney Albon
Defense Department officials are engaged in “active debate” over the future of the Space Force’s data transport architecture and hope to have a decision on the way ahead in time for the fiscal 2027 budget’s release next year. 

New Satellite Data Layer Connects Army, Navy, NATO—with Link 16

April 11, 2024 | By Greg Hadley
The Space Development Agency is fine-tuning and expanding its data transport satellites’ Link 16 connectivity, preparing for them to become the “backbone” of the Pentagon’s ambitious joint all-domain command and control system—and perhaps beyond that to NATO. 

Responding to Threats in Space 

Dec. 2, 2022 | By Maj. Gen. Thomas D. Taverney, USAF (Ret.)
The growing frequency of intentional and unintentional incidents in space proves the case for resiliency. 

SDA Working on ‘Translators’ to Connect Transport Layer to Other Networks

Oct. 26, 2022 | By Greg Hadley
Some of the satellites that will form the planned “backbone” of joint all-domain command and control may include “translation” payloads to let other satellites feed their data into the Pentagon’s massive mesh network, the head of the Space Development Agency said Oct. 25. SDA is ...

Cutting Edge New LEO Constellations Will Use Familiar Link 16 Tech

April 6, 2022 | By Shaun Waterman
The Space Development Agency’s experimental Low Earth Orbit (LEO) data transport constellation will employ bleeding edge new technology in space when it starts to launch later this year. But down on the ground, SDA Director Derek M. Tournear told the Space Symposium April 6, the ...

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