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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…

Congress

House Appropriators ‘Concerned’ With JLTV A2 Delays, Shift Funds For Marines’ Second Supplier Effort

House appropriators have said they’re “seriously concerned” with Joint Light Tactical Vehicle (JLTV) A2 delays, as their fiscal year 2027 defense spending bill shifts funds to support the Marine Corps’ […]

Budget

House Appropriators Uncertain Navy Will Award F/A-XX Contract By August

House appropriators said they are skeptical the Defense Department will award the engineering and manufacturing development (EMD) contract for the Navy’s F/A-XX next-generation carrier-based fighter program by the most recent […]

Congress

House Appropriators Approve $1.07 Trillion FY ‘27 Defense Bill Amid Reconciliation Uncertainty

The House Appropriations Committee has approved its $1.07 trillion fiscal year 2027 defense spending bill, advancing a bill with a historic topline while uncertainty lingers over Congress’ next step to […]

Budget

House Appropriators Add Restrictions And Reporting Requirement To Battleship, Reject Cut

The chairman’s mark of the House Appropriations Committee’s (HAC) fiscal year 2027 defense appropriations bill funds the administration’s $1 billion request for the BBG(X) Trump-class battleship, but adds restrictions requiring […]