WASHINGTON, D.C.– The Space Development Agency announced the successful launch from Vandenberg Space Force Base, California, of the first prototype among 12 risk reduction satellites comprising the Tranche 1 Demonstration and Experimentation System (T1DES) constellation that will demonstrate tactical data delivery to Warfighter platforms to support capabilities like targeting and missile warning and tracking of advanced missile threats.
The prototype satellite will support integration with tactical satellite communication (TACSATCOM) system capabilities from low Earth orbit. The launch also serves as a pathfinder for York Space Systems’ LX-CLASS satellite platform, which is slated for use in other existing award agreements between SDA and York.