US Military Will Make Tranche 2 Gamma Satellite Constellation Development Contract

Illustration of the satellite constellation T2TL Gamma (photo: dock. Northrop Grumman)

JAKARTA – The Space Development Agency (SDA) wants to develop their prototype satellite constellation, namely Tranche 2 Transport Layer (T2TL), by launching twenty satellites.

From the SDA application documents, the agency under the auspices of the United States Space Force (USSF) wants to acquire a new satellite from one of the companies. The plan is that all of these satellites will carry a payload called Warlock.

This payload is a communications node specifically designed for military purposes from outer space. Warlock will be a very important component in the development of the satellite constellation named T2TL Gamma.

The focus of Gamma is the development of advanced data-relay technology so that the flow of information in military operations can be accessed in real-time. SDA wants to reduce barriers to the flow of information so that the military can make decisions quickly.

The procurement of T2TL Gamma is still being discussed and discussed internally. From a report by Spacenews, the state agency will hold a confidential briefing to discuss the details of the program. This meeting will be held next month in Virginia.

Once the details and design are complete, SDA will select the company as the vendor that will supply and operate twenty satellites for T2TL Gamma. Most likely, the satellite request proposal will be released in the spring of this year.

Previously, SDA had awarded the T2TL prototype agreement contract to Rocket Lab. The contract states that Rocket Lab will build and operate 18 satellites to support military needs.

All satellites made by Rocket Lab will be launched into two orbital planes with six satellites each. The launch of the T2TL Beta program will take place no later than July 2027.