SDA posts draft of Tranche 3 Tracking Layer solicitation

The Space Development agency is seeking feedback on a draft solicitation for the next set of missile tracking satellites for the Proliferated Warfighter Space Architecture.

The Tranche 3 Tracking Layer constellation will include a minimum of 54 satellites in low-Earth orbit with missile warning/missile tracking and missile warning, tracking and defense infrared mission payloads, according to the draft posted today.

Vendors will be selected to build sets of 18 satellites in two orbital planes with ground support and operations and sustainment capabilities.

SDA’s goal with the constellation is to provide “near-continuous global stereoscopic coverage” for missile warning/missile tracking and for missile defense. The satellites will include on-orbit calibration capability, onboard processing of tracking data and minimization of solar outages.

Launches for the first set of satellites is planned for no later than March 31, 2029.

Tranche 1 Tracking Layer satellites are awaiting launch while Tranche 2 satellites are in development.