NATIONAL HARBOR, Md. — The Space Development Agency (SDA) is gearing up for its second launch of satellites for the Transport Layer Tranche 1 program. SDA is building out a low Earth orbit (LEO) mesh network for global military communications and missile defense.

Gurpartap “GP” Sandhoo, acting director of SDA, confirmed Sept. 22 that 21 satellites built by Lockheed Martin are on track to launch in October from Vandenberg Space Force Base, California.

The upcoming mission follows the successful Sept. 10 deployment of 21 York Space Systems satellites — the first “plane” in the six-plane Transport Layer Tranche 1 constellation. Speaking at the Air Space & Cyber conference, Sandhoo said it will take several months for York to complete the testing of the satellites and raise them to the right

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