The launch helps build out the SDA’s Tranche 1 Transport Layer (T1TL), a network of 126 satellites in low Earth orbit<\/a> (LEO) that “will provide global communications access and deliver persistent regional encrypted connectivity in support of warfighter missions around the globe,” agency officials wrote in a explainer<\/a>.<\/p>\n You may like<\/p>\n \n A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket launches 21 satellites for the U.S. Space Development Agency from Vandenberg Space Force Base on Oct. 15, 2025. (Image credit: SpaceX)<\/p>\n Today’s mission was SpaceX’s second T1TL launch. The first, which occurred on Sept. 10<\/a>, also sent 21 satellites up from Vandenberg aboard a Falcon 9.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Colorado-based company York Space Systems built those spacecraft. The satellites that launched today, however, were manufactured by aerospace giant Lockheed Martin.<\/p>\n Northrop Grumman also scored an SDA contract for T1TL satellites. Each of these three companies will provide 42 spacecraft for the nascent constellation.<\/p>\n T1TL will be part of a larger LEO constellation, hundreds of satellites strong, that the SDA calls the Proliferated Warfighter Space Architecture (PWSA).<\/p>\n The PWSA satellites will be spread across seven “layers”<\/a> \u2014 battle management, custody, deterrence, navigation, (missile) tracking, transport and support. This broad network will be refreshed every two years<\/a>, keeping the SDA’s space assets agile and up to date.<\/p>\n Previous Booster 1093 launches<\/p>\n The Falcon 9’s first stage came back to Earth about 8.5 minutes after liftoff today as planned, landing in the Pacific Ocean on the drone ship “Of Course I Still Love You.”<\/p>\n It was the seventh launch and landing for this particular booster, which is designated B1093. It also launched SpaceX’s first T1TL mission on Sept. 10, as well as five flights carrying the company’s Starlink<\/a> broadband satellites.<\/p>\n![\"A](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/HJ3fzC8C8uwMeVrZKwh763.jpg\")
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