Space Force Faces Challenges in Proliferated Warfighter Space Architecture

The Space Development Agency is at least three months behind schedule for demonstrating its first set of data relay and missile tracking satellites, which will use laser links to communicate with each other. The agency is taking a strategic pause in Tranche 1 launch after discovering issues with checkout of the 42 Transport Layer satellites already on orbit. The Space Development Agency Director, GP Sandhoo, stated that the goal is to start building up the optical mesh network within the next six months. The agency has contracted with several companies, including Mynaric, Tesat Spacecom US, Skyloom, and Umbra, to provide laser link terminals. The delays may have a minor impact on the agency’s long-standing plan to have Tranche 1 up and running for early use by early 2027.