Sierra Space has secured a significant military satellite contract from the Space Development Agency (SDA). The agency has selected Sierra Space, along with Lockheed Martin and L3Harris, to develop 54 satellites, collectively valued at $2.5 billion.
"We're pleased to welcome Sierra Space, a new entrant as a prime vendor on Team SDA, as we continue working with L3Harris and Lockheed Martin on Tranche 2," SDA director Derek Tournear said in a statement.
"The marketplace is responding to the demand signals for our spiral development model. The agile response across the space industry is critically important as we deliver to the warfighter this no-fail mission capability of missile warning, missile tracking, and missile defence," he added.
TITUSVILLE, FLORIDA - APRIL 11: People watch as the SpaceX Falcon Heavy rocket lifts off from launch pad 39A at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center on April 11, 2019 in Titusville, Florida. The rocket is carrying a communications satellite built by Lockheed Martin into orbit.
Three Prototype Agreements for 54 Satellites
The SDA unveiled on Wednesday its decision to award three prototype agreements for the construction of 54 satellites, marking the initiation of the Tranche 2 (T2) Tracking Layer.
This layer aims to deploy missile warning and missile tracking (MW/MT) infrared sensors and fire control-quality infrared sensors to enhance missile defense capabilities as part of the Proliferated Warfighter Space Architecture (PWSA).
Sierra Space, based in Louisville, Colorado, will be responsible for delivering and operating 18 space vehicles as part of the Tranche 2 Tracking Layer constellation, with a deadline for launch set no later than April 2027.
Tournear expressed satisfaction with the inclusion of Sierra Space as a prime vendor, emphasizing the responsiveness of the space industry to the demand for the spiral development model.
The model aims to address the critical mission capability requirements of missile warning, missile tracking, and missile defense for the warfighter.
Under the Other Transaction Authority (OTA) agreements, Sierra Space, L3Harris Technologies, and Lockheed Martin will individually provide 16 wide-field-of-view missile warning/missile tracking space vehicles equipped with infrared sensors.
Additionally, each vendor will contribute two space vehicles featuring missile defense infrared sensors capable of generating fire control-quality tracks, thereby enhancing preliminary missile defense mission capabilities.
Read Also: Sierra Space Dream Chaser: Commercial Spaceplane Ready for NASA Testing, Orbital Flight
Total Potential Value
The contract details indicate that L3Harris Technologies will receive a firm fixed-priced OTA agreement with a total potential value of $919 million.
On the other hand, Lockheed Martin will be awarded a firm fixed-priced OTA agreement with a total potential value of $890 million, while Sierra Space will secure a total potential value of $740 million.
The 54 satellites comprising the Tranche 2 Tracking Layer will enhance the capabilities established by the Tranche 1 Tracking Layer by incorporating fire control missile defense infrared sensors, providing crucial support for warfighter missions on a global scale.
The envisioned deployment involves creating a worldwide network of infrared missile warning and missile tracking satellites seamlessly integrated with the low-latency meshed communication network of the Transport Layer.
This integration aims to facilitate sophisticated missile tracking capabilities from extensively distributed low-Earth orbit positions.
Upon achieving full deployment, the T2 constellation is anticipated to include approximately 270 operational satellites within the Transport and Tracking Layer, according to SDA.
Related Article: Dream Chaser: Hypersonic Spacecraft from Sierra Space to Feature Inflatable Habitat
