PAE for Missile Warning and Tracking and Space Development Agency Successfully Deliver Fourth Orbital Plane of Tranche 1 Satellites to Orbit
Oct. 10, 2026
WASHINGTON, D.C. – The U.S. Space Force Portfolio Acquisition Executive (PAE) for Missile Warning and Tracking (MWT), supported by the Space Development Agency, today announced the successful launch of the fourth orbital plane of Tranche 1 (T1) Transport satellites from Space Launch Complex 4 East at Vandenberg Space Force Base, California, adding capacity to the U.S. Space Force’s resilient, proliferated low Earth orbit architecture.
With the support of Space Systems Command, a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket delivered 21 data transport T1 space vehicles (SVs), built by Northrop Grumman for the Space Development Agency, bringing the total number of on-orbit T1 SVs to 84.
“This launch marks the delivery of satellites built by the third of four vendors selected to field Tranche 1 of the proliferated LEO architecture,” said GP Sandhoo, SDA Director and USSF PAE MWT. “SDA’s model emphasizes regular industry competition and vendor diversity. Our focus remains on rapid delivery of capabilities to support warfighter needs.”
Today’s successful launch follows a delay from Oct. 5, when Falcon 9’s automated systems safely halted the initial countdown just before liftoff.
These T1 SVs will provide secure, low-latency, beyond-line-of-sight (BLOS) resilient, survivable data transport capabilities in support of tracking advanced missile threats.
Tranche 1 will provide initial warfighting capability beginning in 2027. This includes persistent regional tactical data links, enhanced missile tracking/warning, beyond-line-of-sight targeting, and user connectivity enabled by both tactical optical and Ka-Band links– aligned to combatant command warfighting priorities.
Tranche 1 launches are provided through the National Security Space Launch (NSSL) program and overseen by SSC System Delta 80 (SYD 80) and the USSF PAE for Space Access. The T1 launch campaign will continue until the full constellation is delivered on orbit.
About the Space Development Agency. As an integral part of the U.S. Space Force, SDA is recognized as a constructive disruptor for space acquisition. SDA accelerates delivery of needed space-based capabilities to the joint warfighter in support of the Portfolio Acquisition Executive for Missile Warning and Tracking. For more information on SDA, contact USSF.SDA.Outreach@mail.mil or visit https://www.sda.mil.
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Photo Credit: SpaceX