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Space

Second Batch of SDA Tranche 1, Transport Layer Satellites Launched

Frank Wolfe

Thursday, October 16th, 2025

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Second Batch of SDA Tranche 1, Transport Layer Satellites Launched

Pictured is a SpaceX Falcon 9 at Vandenberg Space Force Base, Calif. just before the Wednesday launch of Tranche 1, Transport Layer satellites (SpaceX Photo)

The second batch of U.S. Space Force Space Development Agency (SDA) Tranche 1, Transport Layer communications satellites launched on Wednesday from Vandenberg Space Force Base, Calif. A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket carried the 21 Lockheed Martin [LMT] satellites. Last month, a Falcon 9 launched the first Tranche 1, Transport Layer satellites---21 by York Space Systems--from Vandenberg (Defense Daily, Sept. 10). Space Force and SDA public affairs offices have been on a shoestring since the Oct. 1st federal shutdown, and neither…

Budget

Hegseth Pushes For Reconciliation With At Least $350 Billion For Defense ‘Regardless’ Of Midterms Outcome

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said Wednesday the Trump administration plans to continue its push for at least $350 billion in defense funds via the reconciliation process “regardless of what happens […]

Congress

Bipartisan Push in Senate to Hasten Export of 155 mm, GMLRS, HIMARS for Ukraine

A small, bipartisan group of senators is backing the Fast Tracking European Investment in Ukraine’s Defense Act, S. 5175, to hasten the export of allied buys of U.S. munitions for […]

Congress

Rep. Himes Signals Increased Contractor Oversight, if Democrats Win House

Rep. Jim Himes (D-Conn.), the ranking member of the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence, plans to increase the committee’s contractor oversight if the Democrats win control of the House […]

Congress

CBO Estimates Loss of One-Half to Two-Thirds of U.S. Missile Interceptors Since June Last Year

A new Congressional Budget Office report estimates the cost of the Iran war through Aug. 1 as $38 billion and says that the U.S. has likely depleted between one-half and […]