Plans have been accelerated.
The Space Development Agency will be launching 28 new satellites into orbit through 2025—part of its $1.3 billion Tranche 1 Tracking Layer missile warning program.
Last week, the agency awarded Raytheon Technologies a $250 million contract to build seven such satellites for low Earth orbit. They will provide a constellation of infrared-sensing, detection, and tracking, satellites, capable of seeking out the hypersonic missiles that might be launched by foreign adversaries.
Agency director, Derek Tournier, explained that the multi-pronged launch initiative, which breaks up the satellite launches into groups of seven, focuses on “proliferation” and “spiral development.” He said that, while they will be launching 28 total this time, there is “literally a need for hundreds and hundreds of satellites to operate in space while continuously gaining new capability every two years.”
Director Tournier stated, “We want to enable beyond line of sight targeting and get data for targets anywhere in the world. With new hypersonic glide vehicles, we need to detect them, track them, and calculate a targeting solution to send down to an interceptor.”
According to a U.S. Strategic Command (STRATCOM) report to Congress, China has more launchers for ICBMs than the U.S. They have an active inventory of many new silos equipped with missiles that include warheads, the total of which is not known.
As the Lord Leads, Pray with Us…
- For Director Tournier as he heads the Space Development Agency.
- For General Anthony Cotton as he oversees the U.S. Strategic Command.
- For members of Congress as they review the plans and funding for missile defense.
Sources: Space News, Wall Street Journal, Warrior Haven
