Lacking FAA approval, SDA runs costly tests outside of U.S.

By Shelley K. Mesch / December 17, 2024 at 3:36 PM
The Space Development Agency has resorted to testing its Link 16 connections outside of the U.S. as Federal Aviation Administration approval remains out of reach, leading to extended timelines and higher costs, SDA director Derek Tournear said. SDA is still working with FAA to secure approval to test the Link 16 capabilities of SDA satellites from national airspace, Tournear said at a Center for Strategic and International Studies event today for the Space Force’s fifth anniversary. Tests of the system,...

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