SDA To Expand North Dakota Satellite Ground Operations

The Space Development Agency (SDA) has revealed intentions to establish a new satellite testing facility at the Grand Forks Air Force Base situated in North Dakota.

This strategic move is poised to enhance the SDA's presence at the Grand Forks location, which has been chosen as one of the primary U.S. sites for conducting satellite ground control operations by the agency. As a subdivision operating under the U.S. Space Force, the SDA is actively engaged in the ambitious endeavour of deploying an intricate mesh network within low Earth orbit.

This network is envisioned to encompass a multitude of communication, data-relay, and sensor satellites, all geared towards providing extensive support to global military users.

In an official announcement on August 7th, Senator John Hoeven, a representative from North Dakota (R-N.D.), and Derek Tournear, the Director of the SDA, jointly unveiled plans for the development of a cutting-edge satellite test and checkout centre. Spanning an impressive 25,000 square feet, this facility is projected to be fully operational by 2026.

The establishment of the satellite testing facility forms an integral part of the SDA's broader strategic vision; which vision was set in motion two years ago when the agency designated the Grand Forks Air Force Base, along with the Redstone Arsenal in Alabama, as the two primary satellite operations centres.

The Pentagon's 2023 budget includes an allocation of $4 million to initiate the construction; the Senate's proposed 2024 defence spending bill is expected to earmark an additional $4 million for the ongoing construction of the test and checkout facility. Senator Hoeven, a member of the Senate defence appropriations subcommittee anticipates the inclusion of an extra $4 million in the 2025 budget.

SDA has made pivotal advancements in the selection of contractors responsible for building and operating the ground control centres; last year awarding a substantial $324.5 million contract to a consortium led by General Dynamics Mission Systems. This consortium, composed of key players such as Iridium Communications, KSAT, and Raytheon Technologies, Emergent, has undertaken the pivotal task of constructing and managing the ground control centres.

“Development of our Tranche 1 Space Networking Operations Center is well underway,...The addition of the SDA test and checkout center on the base will allow us to support near-continuous launch into the future.” - Derek Tournear, SDA Director