MDA’s Hypersonic Weapon-Tracking Satellite Mission Delayed Due to Testing Issues

The Missile Defense Agency said its planned mission to launch hypersonic missile tracking satellites will be delayed to the second quarter of the fiscal year 2024 due to technical issues with one of the spacecraft.

According to MDA spokesperson Mark Wright, one of the contractors experienced technical issues during the final integration testing. He said the other vendor was ready for a December launch.

The MDA mission, designated USSF-124, includes four missile-tracking satellites developed by L3Harris Technologies for the Space Development Agency’s Tracking Layer constellation and two satellites – one made by L3Harris and another by Northrop Grumman – for the MDA’s Hypersonic and Ballistic Tracking Space Sensor program. The program comprises sensors that allow officials to track hypersonic threats and send the tracking data to interceptor missiles, SpaceNews reported.

The delay came after Congress urged the MDA to field hypersonic missile defense more quickly and reach initial operational capacity before the end of the decade. Under the 2024 National Defense Authorization Act, the MDA must prove that the Glide Phase Interceptor can counter hypersonic missiles by 2029, a few years ahead of the agency’s anticipated fielding period.

GPI must also be able to operate alongside future space-based or terrestrial sensors by 2032.