Sierra Space completes PDR for Missile Tracking Satellites

Written by Copernical Team Thursday, 14 November 2024 10:14

font size decrease font size increase font size
Print
Email

Write a comment

Los Angeles CA (SPX) Nov 13, 2024

Sierra Space has announced the successful completion of the Preliminary Design Review (PDR) for missile warning and tracking satellites under a significant $740 million contract with the Space Development Agency (SDA). This contract, awarded in January 2024 through an Other Transaction Authority (OTA), includes the design, development, delivery, and maintenance of 16 missile warning and tracking

Sierra Space completes PDR for Missile Tracking Satellites
by Clarence Oxford
Los Angeles CA (SPX) Nov 13, 2024

Sierra Space has announced the successful completion of the Preliminary Design Review (PDR) for missile warning and tracking satellites under a significant $740 million contract with the Space Development Agency (SDA). This contract, awarded in January 2024 through an Other Transaction Authority (OTA), includes the design, development, delivery, and maintenance of 16 missile warning and tracking satellites, plus two additional satellites with enhanced missile defense capabilities and two operational ground stations.

These satellites are integral to the SDA's Proliferated Warfighter Space Architecture, part of the Defense Department's Low Earth Orbit constellation, known as the Tranche 2 Tracking Layer. This effort focuses on strengthening missile detection and tracking capabilities against a variety of threats, including hypersonic systems.

Tom Vice, CEO of Sierra Space, highlighted the company's commitment, stating, "In response to the evolving threat environment, we are retooling our commercial capacity to focus on revitalizing the U.S. defense industrial base through innovative satellite and spacecraft systems technology. Our company is focused on innovation at speed to support an entirely new era in National Security Space - at Sierra Space we care deeply for this planet and have the responsibility to protect it."

Sierra Space's technology is designed to provide comprehensive, global missile threat detection and tracking. The system incorporates advanced sensors capable of delivering fire control quality data, supporting missile defense operations and enhancing warfighter capabilities.

Since 2023, Sierra Space has secured contracts totaling $1.5 billion for 30 satellites, including those for the Tranche 2 Tracking Layer. The company has also advanced its spacecraft systems segment, managing over 20 contracts related to solar arrays and space components.

Production, integration, and testing of these satellites will be carried out at Sierra Space's facilities in Colorado.