- The Space Development Agency (SDA) is working to create a “coalition of the willing and capable” to accelerate the deployment of cutting-edge space technologies.
- SDA Technical Director Frank Turner emphasized the importance of engaging small businesses and international allies, and the agency has released publicly available guidelines to facilitate collaboration.
August 30, 2023 — In a bid to stay ahead of competitors in the rapidly evolving space domain, the Department of Defense (DOD) is taking a novel approach to acquiring advanced space technologies. The Space Development Agency (SDA) is at the forefront of this initiative, aiming to build a “coalition of the willing and capable,” according to SDA Technical Director Frank Turner.
A Marketplace for Space Tech
“We want a marketplace where people can go buy what they need to buy and be able to use it,” Turner said during a keynote address at ExecutiveBiz’s Space Technologies Forum. The initiative aims to identify new mission partners, determine how they can collaborate, and offer them opportunities to support the broader goals of the SDA and the DOD.
Small Businesses: The Unsung Heroes
One key aspect of this marketplace is the integration of small businesses. “Integrating these partners into the effort is essential because it allows SDA to improve existing capabilities and put things on our roadmap going forward that will make a difference in the fight,” Turner noted.
Open for Suggestions
Though the SDA has a plan for its future activities, Turner emphasized that the agency values input from emerging space companies on what new capabilities the DOD needs. The agency’s contract opportunities are framed as questions for the private sector, seeking feedback on the feasibility of program goals.
Breaking Down Barriers
To facilitate collaboration, the SDA has released a set of publicly available guidelines. “Let’s get these sorts of things, these standards, these agreements on the street,” Turner said. These guidelines are not just for U.S.-based organizations; they are also available for international allies.
Global Partnerships in the Making
Turner revealed that the SDA has already engaged with prospective partners from Japan interested in connecting to the SDA’s Proliferated Warfighter Space Architecture constellation. The idea is to prepare for future developments requiring a robust space infrastructure.
