The US Space Development Agency (SDA) is issuing this Other Transaction Authority (OT) solicitation to establish the foundation for Tranche 2 (T2) of the Proliferated Warfighter Space Architecture (PWSA). The PWSA’s operational utility is predicated on the availability of a ubiquitous data and communications Transport Layer provided by a proliferated constellation of relatively small, mass-producible space vehicles (SVs) in low Earth orbit (LEO). The Tranche 2 Transport Layer (T2TL) SVs will be similar to those currently under development for the Tranche 1 Transport Layer (T1TL) with targeted technology enhancements, mission-focused payload configurations, increased integration, and greater production efficiencies. T2TL will provide global communications access and deliver persistent regional encrypted connectivity in support of Warfighter missions around the globe.
The Space Development Agency on June 28 released a final request for proposals for its next procurement of 100 satellites as the agency continues to build out a military constellation in low Earth orbit. The Transport Layer Tranche 2 also includes 72 Beta satellites for which SDA already has requested bids. The U.S. Space Force is building a layered network of military satellites. The proliferated warfighter space architecture, includes a Transport Layer of interconnected communications satellites and a Tracking Layer of missile-detection and warning sensor satellites.
SDA has determined that the proliferation of various mission functions across the PWSA using commodity SVs is the most efficient and cost-effective means of evolving the Architecture. To accomplish this, SDA employs a capability-focused business model prioritizing speed and lowering costs by harnessing commercial development to achieve proliferation and enhance resilience.
The first highly inclined plane of the T2TL-Alpha constellation will be launched no later than (NLT) September 1, 2026. The first lowly inclined plane of the T2TL-Alpha constellation will be launched NLT December 1, 2026.
To support these operations, the TCC will include infrastructure, including:
• A minimal set of RF Ground Entry Point (GEPs) resources,
• Sufficient workstations and floor space for performer personnel,
• Terrestrial communication connectivity,
• A cybersecurity enclave for authority to test, and other engineering support equipment and test data,
• Multiple instances of the SUPERNOVA (SDA Unified Planning Environment and Resources for NEBULA Operations – Vendor Agnostic) each supporting one or more NOVAs and associated SVs, with the different instances supporting different performer systems in different phases of the mission.
Brian Wang is a Futurist Thought Leader and a popular Science blogger with 1 million readers per month. His blog Nextbigfuture.com is ranked #1 Science News Blog. It covers many disruptive technology and trends including Space, Robotics, Artificial Intelligence, Medicine, Anti-aging Biotechnology, and Nanotechnology.
Known for identifying cutting edge technologies, he is currently a Co-Founder of a startup and fundraiser for high potential early-stage companies. He is the Head of Research for Allocations for deep technology investments and an Angel Investor at Space Angels.
A frequent speaker at corporations, he has been a TEDx speaker, a Singularity University speaker and guest at numerous interviews for radio and podcasts. He is open to public speaking and advising engagements.
This is trying to be a multivendor Starlink/Starshield, and will cost much more as a result. Though that may be intended…
SpaceX got out of the SDA constellation work, and for justifiable reasons. Multivendor compatibility does not solve the core problem; you need a boatload of sats for true global coverage in LEO/VLEO. Congress will not pay for sufficient sats, launched at commercial prices. SpaceX on the other hand, can bankroll the core minimum for a usable constellation because they pay only internal cost of launch, which they are not obligated to do for anyone else.
It’s the silicon valley network effect writ large. They knows this, which is why they are offering the fig leaf of Starshield; putting other people’s payloads on Starlink busses, connected to the Starlink network.
What about 4G and 5G mobile communications with civil purposes in remote areas?
When the next giant solar flare arrives, those hundreds of fancy satellites will turn into hundreds of pieces of space junk.
So, I hope there’s a plan B.
Wouldn’t that same flare damage every satellite in the processes or is there an early warning system that allows the owners to shut off critical components to save the satellite?
It seems like US SpaceForce will become the Military Service Branch that’s a conjoined twin of SpaceX. Everything about it’s mission and potential is through and because of SpaceX.
It will struggle mightily to deny and distract from this but it will become very apparent.
Initially the SpaceForce will be about expanding, exploiting, protecting, Starlink. Starlink will be the platform for everything else, communications, earth observation surveillance, missile launch warning, navigation, etc. It will host on Starlink as well as launch compatible laser linked dedicated Sats massproduced on Starlink’s bus.
Starship of course will be critical to next Gen Starlink so protecting Starship becomes a mission. Then if Starship is as cheap and reliable as promised, SpaceForce will be unable to resist becoming a real Starship based military force operating in Space. Guardians will really fly in Space, have space stations, go to the moon, etc.