LOUISVILLE, Colo. - Sierra Space announced the completion of the first nine satellite structures, Plane 1 of the 18 total satellites Sierra Space is contracted to deliver for the Space Development Agency’s (SDA) Tranche 2 Tracking Layer (T2TRK) program. Achieved three months ahead of schedule, this milestone underscores Sierra Space’s ability to meet key program milestones with efficiency and precision, helping to ensure that the T2TRK program remains on track for delivery and launch readiness.

The next stage currently planned for Plane 1 is a transition to the assembly, integration, and testing (AI&T) phase, during which components, subsystems, and payloads are expected to be integrated and subjected to rigorous testing to verify performance and readiness for deployment. Building on this momentum, Sierra Space is also preparing to expand its capabilities to meet future demands for advanced fire-control and missile defense tracking systems.

Sierra Space is contracted to deliver two orbital planes of satellites-18 in total-equipped with advanced infrared sensors to detect and track ballistic, hypersonic, and next-generation missile threats.

About Tranche 2

The Tranche 2 Tracking Layer’s 54 satellites will build upon the Tranche 1 Tracking Layer capabilities with a select number of satellite vehicles that will incorporate fire control missile defense infrared sensors that can generate fire control quality tracks to provide preliminary missile defense mission capabilities in support of warfighter missions around the globe.

The Tracking Layer is focused on delivering a global constellation of infrared missile warning and missile tracking satellites that integrate with the Transport Layer’s low-latency meshed communication network, enabling advanced missile tracking from proliferated low-Earth orbit. Once completely fielded, the Tranche 2 constellation will consist of approximately 270 operational Transport and Tracking Layer satellites.

Source: Sierra Space
Associated URL: https://www.sierraspace.com/press-releases/sierra-space-completes-first-nine-satellite-structures-for-the-space-development-agencys-tranche-2-tracking-layer-three-months-ahead-of-schedule/

CHANDLER, AZ - Northrop Grumman successfully conducted the first launch of its redesigned intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) target vehicle, marking a key milestone in support of U.S. missile defense flight testing. The launch met all objectives and demonstrated improved performance and durability.

The redesigned ICBM target incorporates a repurposed Peacekeeper rocket motor and an integrated digital engineering approach to enhance capability and efficiency. The program utilized a synchronized digital twin, virtual reality simulations for integration planning, and augmented reality to accelerate mechanical assembly. These digital tools improved end-to-end test capability, reduced risk, and enabled greater performance in range and payload capacity, ensuring the target can accurately represent advanced ballistic missile threats in future defense system evaluations.

Source: Northrop Grumman
Associated URL: https://news.northropgrumman.com/target-vehicles/Northrop-Grumman-Launches-Digitally-Redesigned-Intercontinental-Ballistic-Missile-Target-To-Simulate-Advanced-Threats

SANDY HOOK, Conn. - On January 2, 2026, the Indra Group (the majority stakeholder in the operator, Hisdesat) announced that SpainSat NG 2 was struck by a "space particle" during its orbital transfer phase.

The collision occurred at 50,000 kilometers above Earth, which likely rules out any man-made debris. The possible culprit was a micrometeoroid, a naturally occurring space rock, that would be at such an altitude.

Indra stated that, "if necessary, SpainSat NG 2 will be replaced as soon as possible". This will be no inexpensive task. The total program is valued at about $2.3 billion; however, that likely includes development costs, launch and satellite manufacture. The price for replacement will probably be in the $300 to $400 million range.

As the situation currently stands, it is unknown the extent of the damages suffered by the satellite. If there is still some functionality, the satellite will be used. This happened with Viasat-3 Americas (F1). Although an anomaly was suffered, the satellite is still being used with far less functionality.

Source: Forecast International
Associated URL: forecastinternational.com