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Space Force Official Derek Tournear Reinstated as SDA Director
WASHINGTON, D.C. — A high-ranking Space Force acquisition executive, Derek Tournear, is set to resume his position as director of the Space Development Agency (SDA) on April 17, following a three-month administrative leave. This announcement was confirmed Monday by a spokesperson for the Department of the Air Force. Tournear’s return marks a significant development in the ongoing initiatives to advance military space architecture and satellite technology programs within the Space Force.
Tournear was initially removed from his leadership role on January 16 amid an investigation into alleged procedural irregularities. These irregularities concerned two prototype agreements, valued at approximately $424 million, related to the Tranche 2 Transport Layer – Gamma variant satellites. This satellite layer is a crucial element of the military’s evolving space architecture.
The probe was initiated following a bid protest filed by Viasat, a satellite communications firm. Viasat raised concerns about the fairness and transparency of the contract awarding process. News of Tournear’s reinstatement was initially reported by BreakingDefense, a defense-focused publication.
During Tournear’s temporary absence, Air Force acquisition official William Blauser served as the acting director of the SDA. The Air Force has not publicly detailed the specific justifications for Tournear’s reinstatement at this time.
Congressional Backing
Sources within the industry indicate that Tournear has retained robust support within Congress, particularly from Senator Kevin Cramer (R-ND). Senator Cramer has been a vocal proponent for Tournear’s return, advocating for him during recent congressional hearings. Cramer emphasized the necessity of fostering innovation in military satellite procurement processes and highlighted Tournear’s role in this area.
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“Tournear’s reinstatement occurs at a pivotal juncture for the agency, which is currently navigating considerable challenges in its satellite development programs,” stated an industry insider, who requested anonymity to provide candid insights into the situation.
The SDA is tasked with the development and deployment of the Proliferated Warfighter Space Architecture (PWSA), a multi-layered network of satellites operating in low Earth orbit. This architecture is designed to provide comprehensive support for military operations across all domains. The PWSA incorporates a missile-tracking satellite layer, a vital component of previous administration’s broader missile defense strategy.
As Tournear reassumes command, the SDA is confronted with challenges including anticipated delays in satellite production. These delays are largely attributed to ongoing supply chain disruptions, especially concerning optical terminals essential for establishing laser communications links between satellites in orbit.
Investment analysts from Baird Defense & Government underscored these concerns in a recent research note circulated after the Space Symposium in Colorado Springs. The analysis suggested that the optical communications terminal sector is encountering difficulties in transitioning from research and development phases to full-scale production for the low Earth orbit market. This bottleneck indicates potential schedule slippages for the PWSA program.
Possible Strategy Adjustments
The agency is also contending with potential budgetary constraints and a possible shift in acquisition strategy. Senator Cramer recently disclosed that the Department of the Air Force is evaluating the possibility of substituting planned military satellite acquisitions from multiple defense contractors with SpaceX’s Starshield satellites.
This prospective realignment could have implications for the SDA’s Transport Layer Tranche 2 and Tranche 3 programs, particularly as the Pentagon conducts its funding assessments for fiscal year 2026.
The SDA’s Transport Layer is designed to deliver a dependable, low-latency military communications network. It represents a critical element of the Defense Department’s broader initiatives to sustain technological superiority in the space domain.