U.S. Space Force Plans Major Shift in Space Development Agency Operations
The U.S. Space Force is planning a significant restructuring of the Space Development Agency (SDA), which was established in 2019 to manage global data connectivity and missile warning systems through a satellite constellation in low Earth orbit. The fiscal 2027 budget request includes $1.6 billion for the Space Data Network (SDN), which will absorb the SDA's Transport Layer operations. This shift comes amid concerns over the SDA's satellite operations and delayed launches. The SDA's acting director, GP Sandhoo, is expected to take on a new role as Portfolio Acquisition Executive for missile warning and tracking.