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Space Development Agency Selects 19 Companies for HALO Defense Satellite Program
Space Development Agency Launches New Program for Defense Contractors
The Space Development Agency (SDA) has unveiled a new initiative aimed at expanding its pool of contractors for defense demonstration missions. In a significant move, the agency has selected 19 companies to compete for future contracts, each receiving $20,000 to cover administrative expenses.
These preapproved companies will now be eligible to bid on prototype missions supporting the SDA’s Proliferated Warfighter Space Architecture (PWSA). The program, known as Hybrid Acquisition for Proliferated LEO (HALO), focuses on satellite projects within the PWSA framework.
A key component of HALO is the Tranche 2 Demonstration and Experimentation System (T2DES), which involves approximately 20 satellites. The program aims to facilitate rapid mission demonstrations and to launch two identical satellites within 12-18 months of contract award.
The T2DES satellites are designed to enhance the Tranche 2 transport layer, a constellation of over 200 satellites dedicated to Department of Defense communications. HALO awardees will also have the opportunity to compete for additional missions supporting PWSA, including launch and on-orbit transport services.
Several companies have already highlighted their capabilities in line with SDA objectives. Firefly, for instance, has showcased its Elytra orbital transfer vehicle, while CesiumAstro has emphasized its commitment to innovation and national security through advanced space capabilities.
The selected companies represent a diverse mix of startups and established firms in the aerospace industry. The list includes Apex, Capella Space, CesiumAstro, Firefly Aerospace, Impulse Space, LeoStella, Momentus, Muon Space, SpaceX, Turion Space, Airbus, AST SpaceMobile, Astro Digital, Geneva Technologies, Kepler Communications, Kuiper Government Solutions, NovaWurks, Terran Orbital, and York Space Systems.
This initiative follows the SDA’s previous awards of significant contracts for missile tracking and communications satellite constellations. Programs like HALO are designed to enable nontraditional defense contractors to compete for lucrative awards, with the SDA planning to award multiple contracts to vendors within the program.
As the space defense sector continues to evolve, this new program represents a strategic move by the SDA to broaden its contractor base and accelerate innovation in space-based defense technologies.