Věda

January 9, 2026, 6:56 AM EST. The U.S. Space Development Agency awarded contracts to four primes-L3Harris Technologies, Lockheed Martin, Northrop Grumman and Rocket Lab-to build the Tranche 3 Tracking Layer satellites for the Proliferated Warfighter Space Architecture (PWSA) in low Earth orbit (LEO). Each vendor will deliver 18 satellites, with first launches slated for fiscal 2029. The awards advance SDA's spiral, rapid-fielding approach and widen the supplier base; Sierra Space was bumped after 15 bids. The Tranche 3 spacecraft will carry infrared sensors, optical communications terminals and Ka-band links, enabling persistent missile warning, tracking and defense payloads. Rocket Lab debuts as a missile-defense prime with an $805 million base contract; Lockheed Martin up to $1.1B, L3Harris $843M, Northrop Grumman $764M. The agency ties the effort to the Golden Dome architecture.