Sierra Space has finished the first nine satellite structures for the Space Development Agency’s (SDA) Tranche 2 Tracking Layer three months ahead of schedule.
The satellites make up Plane 1 of an 18-satellite contract, with work on Plane 2 already underway.
Completed structures will now move into assembly, integration, and testing, where onboard systems, subsystems, and payloads are installed and verified prior to launch preparation.
Expanding Missile Tracking in Space
Produced at Sierra Space’s Victory Works facility in Colorado, the satellites follow a successful critical design review and are part of a broader effort to expand SDA’s space-based missile detection and tracking capabilities.
The Tranche 2 Tracking Layer satellites will carry infrared sensors capable of detecting and tracking ballistic, hypersonic, and other advanced missile threats.
Some of the spacecraft will incorporate sensors capable of generating “fire-control quality” tracking data, which could support missile defense intercept operations in addition to early warning and tracking missions.
Tranche 2 is expected to include 54 satellites across multiple vendors, eventually forming part of a larger Proliferated Warfighter Space Architecture that also includes a Transport Layer for low-latency communications between satellites and ground forces.
When fully deployed, the constellation will total roughly 270 operational satellites.
SDA has pursued a rapid acquisition strategy to accelerate production, spread risk, and increase resiliency through distributed constellations rather than relying on a few high-value spacecraft.
Early completion of Plane 1 keeps the program on track for integration and launch milestones, Sierra Space said.
