Space Agency Unveils Plans To Restart First Gen Satellite Launches After Technical Setbacks
The Space Development Agency (SDA) has announced plans to resume launch operations for its …
16. July 2026
Sda Revs Up Launch Campaign After Nine-Month Hiatus
The Space Development Agency (SDA) is poised to resume its launch campaign for its low-Earth orbit satellite constellation after a nine-month pause, marking an important milestone in the agency’s ambitious plan to provide operational capability to the warfighter. The SDA had initially planned to conduct a series of launches every month for 10 months as part of its Tranche 1 program, dubbed the Proliferated Warfighter Space Architecture (PWFA). However, delays due to supply chain issues and technical challenges pushed the schedule back, leaving many wondering if the SDA’s aggressive timeline was unrealistic.
In September and October 2025, the SDA successfully launched 42 satellites, all built by York Space Systems and Lockheed Martin. This marked a significant achievement for the agency, which had set out to develop a constellation of low-Earth orbit satellites capable of providing a range of services, including communications, navigation, and surveillance. However, shortly after the launch, issues began to arise, with thermal readings on some satellites not matching earlier models, indicating potential problems with the satellite’s thermal management system or an issue with the models.
Furthermore, the satellites were struggling to connect with ground entry points as frequently as needed, which slowed down the checkout process and raised concerns about the overall performance of the constellation. The SDA has since worked closely with both York and Lockheed to address these issues through software and hardware updates, aiming to resolve the problems and get the satellites back on track.
According to SDA Director Gurpartap Sandhoo, the agency is making progress in resolving the issues and expects a smoother launch this time around. “We expect this launch to be a lot smoother than the last one,” he said during a recent briefing. “It’s just the reality of building complicated systems… Our current schedule is that this checkout shouldn’t be as long as the first couple of launches were.”
However, Sandhoo acknowledged that the SDA’s focus has shifted from a strict monthly cadence to ensuring that satellites are operational as quickly as possible once they reach orbit. “I’d rather take the three-week launch delay versus the four-month checkout delay,” he said, highlighting the agency’s prioritization of speed over capability.
The first two batches of Tranche 1 satellites are now transitioning from the checkout phase to early operations, which requires a handoff from the vendor operations teams to SDA’s own ground operations centers. While this transition is proceeding as planned, Sandhoo acknowledged that there are still some lingering concerns with the first two batches of satellites. Some spacecraft had propulsion issues that prevented them from reaching the ideal orbital plane, and Lockheed has yet to make contact with one of its satellites.
However, the SDA’s built-in redundancy should mitigate any potential impact from the loss of a single satellite. According to Sandhoo, the focus is now on ensuring that the remaining satellites are operational, rather than worrying about the performance of the entire constellation.
SDA’s rapid development and fielding approach has drawn criticism from government watchdogs who argue that the agency should incorporate lessons learned before designing and fielding the next batch of satellites. A Government Accountability Office (GAO) report from January called for more realism in SDA’s schedule and raised concerns that its strategy prioritizes speed over capability.
However, Sandhoo emphasized that the SDA’s schedule is driven by operational realities, which requires the agency to accept some level of risk. “When you find a problem, you stop, you fix it, and you continue on—but you can’t wait for the thing to end before you start the next one,” he said. This mindset, Sandhoo argued, is essential for addressing the threats facing the nation.
The SDA’s Tranche 1 program represents a critical component of the agency’s broader strategy to provide operational capability to the warfighter. With its constellation of low-Earth orbit satellites, the SDA aims to offer a range of services that support military operations, from communications and navigation to surveillance and reconnaissance. The success of this program will depend on the agency’s ability to address the challenges it has faced so far and ensure that its satellite constellation is operational as quickly as possible.
As the SDA prepares to resume its launch campaign, officials are watching closely for signs of progress and a return to the ambitious schedule initially planned. While delays have pushed back the timeline, Sandhoo’s emphasis on speed over capability suggests that the agency remains committed to meeting its objectives. The coming weeks will provide valuable insight into the SDA’s ability to overcome the challenges it has faced and deliver on its promise of operational capability to the warfighter.
The SDA’s experience serves as a reminder of the complexities involved in developing and deploying satellite constellations, particularly those with ambitious timelines. As the agency continues to navigate these challenges, it will be essential for officials to balance speed with caution, prioritizing the safety and reliability of its satellites while also meeting operational requirements.
In conclusion, the SDA’s resumption of its launch campaign marks an important milestone in the agency’s ongoing effort to provide operational capability to the warfighter. While delays have pushed back the timeline, Sandhoo’s emphasis on speed over capability suggests that the agency remains committed to meeting its objectives. As the coming weeks unfold, officials will be watching closely for signs of progress and a return to the ambitious schedule initially planned.
The success of the SDA’s Tranche 1 program will depend on the agency’s ability to address the challenges it has faced so far and ensure that its satellite constellation is operational as quickly as possible. With its constellation of low-Earth orbit satellites, the SDA aims to offer a range of services that support military operations, from communications and navigation to surveillance and reconnaissance.
Ultimately, the SDA’s experience serves as a reminder of the importance of careful planning, risk management, and collaboration with industry partners in developing and deploying satellite constellations. As the agency continues to navigate these complexities, it will be essential for officials to prioritize speed, safety, and reliability while meeting operational requirements.