York Space Systems announced today that it has delivered all 21 satellites intended for launch next month as part of the Space Development Agency’s (SDA) first operational data transport satellite mission. The launch is scheduled for September 10, 2023, from Vandenberg Space Force Base in California.

Melanie Preisser, vice president and general manager of York Space Systems, stated, “Our satellites are built, delivered, and ready for launch, now all that’s left is integration with the rocket.” The deployed satellites will provide on-orbit Link 16 connectivity to military personnel.

The upcoming launch marks the beginning of a campaign to deploy a total of 126 data transport and 28 missile warning and tracking satellites into low Earth orbit. The transport constellation aims to deliver global communications and secure connectivity for military users, serving as a critical element of the U.S. Defense Department’s strategy to interlink systems operating across various domains.

Originally planned for 2024, the mission faced delays due to supplier issues, pushing it back a year. Nonetheless, the SDA remains committed to achieving a complete, operational Tranche 1 constellation by 2027, which is expected to offer an initial warfighting capability.

York Space Systems is a key contributor to the SDA’s Proliferated Warfighter Space Architecture, which comprises a network of small missile warning and data transport satellites in low Earth orbit. The company is tasked with constructing 136 satellites across three phases of the agency’s Transport Layer. As reported, ten satellites have already been launched as part of the first phase, known as Tranche 0, with additional launches scheduled in the upcoming years.

In addition to its involvement with the SDA, York is one of three companies, alongside Lockheed Martin and Northrop Grumman, engaged in building satellites for the Space Force’s inaugural tranche of data transport satellites. This mission will be one of five for York in 2023, marking its busiest year to date. Earlier this year, York supported the experimental Dragoon mission for the SDA in June and launched the BARD communications satellite for NASA in July. Upcoming projects include a classified initiative called Tyndal and another SDA transport launch set for late this year.

Courtney Albon is the author of the report, serving as C4ISRNET’s space and emerging technology reporter. She has been covering the U.S. military since 2012, focusing primarily on the Air Force and Space Force, and has reported on significant challenges in the Defense Department’s acquisitions, budgets, and policies.