Printed from https://fiscalreceipts.com/program/1206425SF/ — built September 26, 2026. Every figure is citation-backed; see the page online for per-number provenance.
Space Situation Awareness Systems
Watch this program
Budget figures
$992.0K discretionary + $455.0M one-time reconciliation. Discretionary change vs FY2025 enacted: -99.8%.
Two official figures, one label— reconciled below
Fiscal Receipts uses P-1/R-1 workbook total obligation authority (TOA) as the headline figure sitewide. The workbook TOA includes budget rows that the R-2/P-40 J-book program line excludes — advance procurement in an ordinary year, and in FY2026 the one-time reconciliation appropriation as well. Each row below names the one it is. How the two bases relate →
FY26 Request · $456.0M TOA − $992.0K J-book line = 455.0M (456.0 − 1.0 = 455.0) — $455.0M of one-time FY2026 reconciliation money accounts for this gap — not advance procurement
Figures in the sentence are rounded for reading; the parenthesised arithmetic is the same subtraction in USD millions, at the precision where it closes.
FY2026 award data is a partial year — USAspending reports awards on a rolling basis, and this corpus runs through 2026-09-04. why partial FY2026 data? →
Budget trajectory
| Fiscal year | Amount |
|---|---|
| FY24 | $375.0M |
| FY25 | $455.6M |
| FY26 | $456.0M |
All series figures: R-1 TOA · PB2026
Decade view
P-1/R-1 workbook TOA basis, shown compact in $B/$M (the workbook records USD thousands); each figure cites its own President's Budget edition
The vertical scale does not start at zero: the baseline sits just below this program’s smallest year, so a low point on this line is not a small amount. Read the shape for direction and the grid below for the figures.
● actuals (line) · ○ enacted · ◇ request — gaps are editions the program is absent from, never interpolated.
| Series | FY19 | FY20 | FY21 | FY22 | FY23 | FY24 | FY25 | FY26 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Actuals | $0 | $0 | $195.4M | $224.8M | $307.8M | $375.0M | ||
| Enacted | – | $0 | $206.4M | $232.1M | $318.4M | $372.8M | $455.6M | |
| Request | – | – | $206.4M | $250.3M | $335.8M | $372.8M | $483.6M | $456.0M |
blank = series not published for this year; – = absent from that edition.
Asked vs spent: the PB2023 book requested $335.8M for FY2023; the PB2025 book reported $307.8M as actual total obligation authority — $28.0M below the request. 307.8 − 335.8 = -28.0 USD millions — the compact figures above are rounded for reading.
Program lineage
No predecessor/successor lineage was recorded for this program element — no FY-to-FY transfer into or out of this line was stated in the ingested J-books, and none was inferred from the program structure.
Description
Mission — Space Situation Awareness Systems
Space Domain Awareness (SDA) is one of five core competencies of the Space Force and includes the effective identification, characterization, and understanding of any factor, passive or active, associated with the space domain that could affect space operations and thereby impact the security, safety, economy, or environment of our nation. As the foundation for space control, SDA encompasses surveillance of all space objects and activities; detailed surveillance of specific space assets; monitoring space environmental conditions; monitoring cooperative space assets; gathering indications and warning on adversary space operations; and conducting integrated command, control, communications, processing, analysis, dissemination, and archiving activities. This program element develops, tests, upgrades, and fields new SDA capabilities across the space surveillance network (SSN) while companion program element 1203940SF develops, fields, and operationalizes sensor networks and information integration capabilities. Activities funded in this program element (1206425SF) also support efforts such as engineering studies and analyses, architectural engineering studies, trade studies, technology needs forecasting, modernization initiatives, systems engineering, system development, and test & evaluation. Activities may include prototyping and technology demonstration(s). Deep Space Advanced Radar Capability (DARC) is a ground-based, SDA radar system that detects, tracks, and maintains custody of deep space objects 24/7 in all weather and through the solar exclusion gap. DARC will augment the SSN as an additional sensor with increased capacity and capability for deep space object custody, providing full global coverage. In 2021, DARC Site 1 was awarded as a Middle Tier Acquisition (MTA) rapid prototype. On 22 May 2024, the Service Acquisition Executive (SAE) signed an Acquisition Decision Memorandum (ADM) transitioning the program to a Major Capability Acquisition (MCA) program that now includes all three sites; Australia, United Kingdom (UK), and the U.S. The SILENTBARKER program is developing and delivering a space-based SDA system to provide space object surveillance through a phased acquisition approach starting with SILENTBARKER Baseline. The baseline program will be followed by SILENTBARKER Expansion and then SILENTBARKER-B in accordance with the National Reconnaissance Office (NRO) approved acquisition strategy. The United States Space Force (USSF) and NRO have signed a Memorandum of Agreement partnering on the SILENTBARKER program based on overlapping requirements. The space-based SDA program activity will develop and deliver a system to continue providing space object surveillance. Space Based SDA enables timely detection and custody of on-orbit threats in order to protect U.S. High Value Assets in space in support of the National Defense Strategy. Space Based SDA requirements are based on both the Statement of Capabilities and the current 2022 Space Domain Awareness (SDA) Initial Capabilities Document, which is focused on protecting High Value Assets. Space Based SDA will provide the capability to search, detect, and track objects from a space-based sensor for timely custody and event detection. Surveillance from space augments and overcomes existing ground sensor limitations with timely 24-hour above-the-weather collection of satellite metric data. This data is communicated to operators at the Combined Space Operations Center (CSpOC), National Space Defense Center (NSDC), and other classified users. This program element includes efforts related to Space Based SDA, its integration into the broader space superiority architecture, and analysis and experimentation to ensure space-based space surveillance capabilities are effective against the evolving threat. Ground Based Optical Sensor System (GBOSS) includes an upgrade to the Ground-based Electro-Optical Deep Space Surveillance (GEODSS) system that enables GEODSS to monitor small, closely-spaced, and advanced threats in low, mid, high, and geostationary orbits. The upgraded system will discover currently undetectable space threats, reduce an adversary's tactical surprise and deliver the data required to support accurate, timely, and actionable SDA. This facilitates decision-making within the compressed timelines dictated by the realities of the congested, contested, competitive space domain. The program delivers a combination of performance upgrades to existing GEODSS sites, including advanced data exploitation and rapid data dissemination. The GBOSS program will also incorporate coalition data, commercial data, and includes options to develop new GEODSS sites to extend our global footprint and increase our capacity to positively identify an adversary committing an orbital attack. The program also includes updates to the GEODSS image processing and optical subsystems that will enhance its sensitivity and search rate, and fields new multi-spectral advanced technology sensors supporting extended operations, high- fidelity characterization, enhanced indications and warnings (I&W), and attribution. The FY 2026 request for Space Situational Awareness Systems includes $992 thousand of discretionary funds and $455,000 thousand of mandatory (reconciliation) funds for a total of $455,992 thousand. The mandatory funds continue construction and integration of DARC Site 1, and development of Site 2; ongoing baseline and expansion capabilities for Silentbarker; and fielding the GBOSS upgrade to the MAUI GEODSS site in FY 2026. Further information for this reconciliation request is provided in Section 20009 (INDOPACOM Capabilities) of the Reconciliation Exhibit. This program element may include necessary civilian pay expenses required to manage, execute, and deliver Space and Ground Based SDA and Ground Based Optical system capability. The use of such program funds would be in addition to the civilian pay expenses budgeted in program elements 1206392SF and 1206398SF. For Space Based SDA in PY 0.225M was expended for civilian pay expenses in this program element, and in CY 0.225M is forecasted for civilian pay expenses in this program element. This program is in Budget Activity 5, System Development and Demonstration (SDD) because it has passed Milestone B approval and is conducting engineering and manufacturing development tasks aimed at meeting validated requirements prior to full rate production.
Mission — Ground Based SDA
Space Domain Awareness (SDA) is one of five core competencies of the Space Force and is the effective identification, characterization, and understanding of any factor, passive or active, associated with the space domain that could affect space operations and thereby impact the security, safety, economy, or environment of our nation. As the foundation for space control, SDA encompasses surveillance of all space objects and activities; detailed surveillance of specific space assets; monitoring space environmental conditions; monitoring cooperative space assets; gathering indications and warning on adversary space operations; and conducting integrated command, control, communications, processing, analysis, dissemination, and archiving activities. This program element develops, tests, upgrades and fields new SDA capabilities across the space surveillance network (SSN) while companion program element 1203940SF develops, fields, and operationalizes sensor networks and information integration capabilities. Activities funded in this program element (1206425SF) also support efforts such as engineering studies and analyses, architectural engineering studies, trade studies, technology needs forecasting, modernization initiatives, systems engineering, system development, and test & evaluation. Activities may include prototyping and technology demonstration(s). Deep Space Advanced Radar Capability (DARC) is a ground-based, SDA radar system that detects, tracks, and maintains custody of deep space objects 24/7 in all weather and through the solar exclusion gap. DARC will augment the Space Surveillance Network as an additional sensor with increased capacity and capability for deep space object custody, providing full global coverage. DARC Site 1 was initially awarded as a Middle Tier Acquisition (MTA) Rapid Prototype. On 22 May 2024, the Service Acquisition Executive (SAE) approved successful completion of the DARC Site 1 prototype and transitioned the program to be a Major Capability Acquisition (MCA) to complete development and operationally field DARC Sites 1 (Australia), Site 2 (United Kingdom), and Site 3 (United States). The FY 2026 request for DARC includes $0 thousand discretionary funds and $281,861 thousand of mandatory (reconciliation) for a total of $281,861 thousand. The mandatory funds continue construction and integration of Site 1, and development of Site 2. Further information for this reconciliation request is provided in Section 20009 (INDOPACOM Capabilities) of the Reconciliation Exhibit. This program element may include necessary civilian pay expenses required to manage, execute, and deliver DARC weapon system capability. The use of such program funds would be in addition to the civilian pay expenses budgeted in program elements 1206392SF and 1206398SF.
Mission — Space Based SDA
Space Domain Awareness (SDA) is one of five core competencies of the Space Force and is the effective identification, characterization, and understanding of any factor, passive or active, associated with the space domain that could affect space operations and thereby impact the security, safety, economy, or environment of our nation. As the foundation for space control, SDA encompasses surveillance of all space objects and activities; detailed surveillance of specific space assets; monitoring space environmental conditions; monitoring cooperative space assets; gathering indications and warning on adversary space operations; and conducting integrated command, control, communications, processing, analysis, dissemination, and archiving activities. This Program Element develops, tests, upgrades and fields SDA capabilities across the Space Surveillance Network (SSN) while companion Program Element 1203940SF develops, fields, and operationalizes ground sensor networks and information integration capabilities. Activities funded in this Program Element (1206425SF) also support efforts such as engineering studies and analyses to include prototyping and technology demonstration(s), architectural engineering studies, trade studies, technology needs forecasting, modernization initiatives, systems engineering, system development, and test and evaluation. Space Based SDA will develop and deliver capabilities and prototypes to provide space object surveillance and reconnaissance from space. The United States Space Force (USSF) and National Reconnaissance Office (NRO) have partnered on the Space Based SDA program to meet overlapping requirements through the SILENTBARKER program. The program is also developing prototypes to deliver additional space surveillance capabilities to meet emerging threats. Space Based SDA enables timely detection and custody of on-orbit threats to protect U.S. High Value Assets in support of the National Defense Strategy. Space Based SDA requirements are based on both the Statement of Capabilities and the current 2022 SDA Initial Capabilities Document, which is focused on protecting High Value Assets. Surveillance from space augments and overcomes existing ground sensor limitations with timely 24-hour above-the-weather collection of satellite metric data. This data is communicated to operators at the Combined Space Operations Center (CSpOC), National Space Defense Center (NSDC), and other classified users. Further, this Program Element includes efforts related to Space Based SDA, its integration into the broader space superiority architecture, and analysis and experimentation to ensure space-based space surveillance capabilities are effective against the evolving threat. This Program Element also evaluates affordable Space Based SDA replenishment options to provide the system resiliency necessary to operate in the contested space domain via studies through technical analysis, risk reduction experiments, affordable prototyping, and partnership with Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL). In addition, this Program Element leverages opportunities for space-based commercial, international partnerships, and hosted payloads to support the SDA mission. The FY 2026 request for Silentbarker includes $0 thousand discretionary and $163,854 thousand of mandatory (reconciliation) for a total of $163,854 thousand. The mandatory funds support ongoing baseline and expansion capabilities. Further information for this reconciliation request is provided in Section 20009 (INDOPACOM Capabilities) of the Reconciliation Exhibit. This Program Element may include necessary civilian pay expenses required to manage, execute, and deliver Space Based SDA weapon system capability. The use of such program funds would be in addition to the civilian pay expenses budgeted in program elements 1206392SF and 1206398SF. For Space Based SDA in PY 0.225M was expended for civilian pay expenses in this program element, and in CY 0.225M is forecasted for civilian pay expenses in this program element.
Mission — Ground Based Optical Sensor
Ground Based Optical Sensor System (GBOSS) includes an upgrade to the Ground-based Electro-Optical Deep Space Surveillance (GEODSS) system that enables GEODSS to monitor small, closely-spaced, and advanced threats in low, mid, high, and geostationary orbits. The upgraded system will discover currently undetectable space threats, reduce an adversary's tactical surprise and deliver the data required to support accurate, timely, actionable Space Domain Awareness (SDA). This facilitates decision-making within the compressed timelines dictated by the realities of the congested, contested, competitive space domain. This enhanced SDA capability directly supports the Find, Fix, Track, Target, Engage, and Assess (F2T2EA) stages of the GEO Kill Chain, enabling more effective space control operations. GBOSS also investigates the use of passive RF capabilities to augment its optical data, providing a more comprehensive understanding of the space domain. The program delivers a combination of performance upgrades to existing GEODSS sites, including advanced data exploitation and rapid data dissemination. The program will seek Allied partnerships to incorporate coalition data, purchase commercial data to increase capacity, and/or investigate new GEODSS sites to provide a global capability to positively identify an adversary committing an orbital attack. This collaborative approach with allies leverages shared optical capabilities for enhanced space domain awareness and collective defense. The program includes updates to the GEODSS image processing and optical subsystems that will enhance its sensitivity and search rate, and fields new multi-spectral advanced technology sensors supporting extended operations, high- fidelity characterization, enhanced indications and warnings (I&W), and attribution. The FY 2026 request for GBOSS includes $992 thousands of discretionary and $9,285 thousands of mandatory (reconciliation) for a total of $10,277 thousands. The mandatory funds complete the fielding of the GBOSS upgrade to the MAUI GEODSS site in FY 2026. Further information for this reconciliation request is provided in Section 20009 (INDOPACOM Capabilities) of the Reconciliation Exhibit. This program element may include necessary civilian pay expenses required to manage, execute, and deliver Space Based SDA weapon system capability. The use of such program funds would be in addition to the civilian pay expenses budgeted in program elements 1206392SF and 1206398SF.
Justification
Accomplishments & Planned Programs (4)
DARC Site 1 Rapid Prototype
The DARC Site 1 MTA program was the initial program that rapidly developed a prototype DARC site to support SDA. DARC Site 1 will demonstrate system responsiveness to regularly scheduled and unscheduled tasks to locate, identify, characterize deep space objects and report the results to Battle Management Command and Control locations and SSN. The MTA was transitioned to an MCA which includes the completion of Site 1 and the remaining two sites. This major thrust was retitled from DARC Site 1 Operational Capability to distinguish it from the follow-on effort to complete and field all three DARC sites. It is not a New Start.
DARC Sites 1, 2 and 3 Operational Capability
The program will complete development, test, and delivery of DARC Sites 1, 2 and 3 with a current estimated completion date of FY 2032. The 3-site system will be responsive to regularly scheduled and un-scheduled tasks to locate, identify, characterize deep space objects and report the results to Battle Management Command and Control locations and the Space Surveillance Network. This major thrust was retitled from DARC Sites 2 and 3 Operational Capability to capture the remaining scope of the DARC Site 1 prototype. The follow-on Major Capability Acquisition (MCA) will complete and field all three DARC sites. It is not a New Start.
Space-Based Space Domain Awareness (SDA)
SDA includes effective identification, characterization, and understanding of any factor, passive or active, associated with the space domain. Performs space-based SDA analysis, research, and development for the SILENTBARKER system in partnership with the NRO.
Ground Based Optical Sensor System (GBOSS)
GBOSS provides a global, ground-based, optical sensor capability for Space Domain Awareness (SDA). The program implements advanced capabilities that may leverage coalition data, commercial data, and passive RF capabilities to enhance system response and resiliency to operate in the contested space domain based on aggressive threats by our pacing-competitors, China and Russia. By incorporating these data sources, GBOSS strengthens its ability to support multiple stages of the GEO Kill Chain, particularly in the Find, Fix, and Track phases. GBOSS improves resolution, sensitivity, search rate, tracking of non-cooperative launches, precise tagging of clustered objects, detection of closely spaced dim objects, attribution of orbital attackers and delivers foundational technology to support data exploitation for advanced indications and warnings. This effort includes upgrading existing sensors and dissemination of all data to DoD and IC stakeholders via the Unified Data Library (UDL). Collaboration with allies on shared optical capabilities is integral to GBOSS, enabling a more comprehensive and resilient SDA architecture.
Budget line items(workbook-cited)
P-1/R-1 workbook Total Obligation Authority basis (USD thousands) · PB2026.
Exhibit R-1
| Account | Org | Type | Amount |
|---|---|---|---|
| Research, Development, Test, and Evaluation, Space Force | F | FY24 Actuals | $375.0M |
| Research, Development, Test, and Evaluation, Space Force | F | FY25 Enacted | $455.6M |
| Research, Development, Test, and Evaluation, Space Force | F | FY25 Total | $455.6M |
| Research, Development, Test, and Evaluation, Space Force | F | FY26 Disc. Request | $992.0K |
| Research, Development, Test, and Evaluation, Space Force | F | FY26 Reconciliation | $455.0M |
| Research, Development, Test, and Evaluation, Space Force | F | FY26 Total | $456.0M |
Budget Details(R-2/P-40 facts)
J-book detail basis (R-2/P-40, USD millions) · PB2026 — a different accounting basis from the P-1/R-1 workbook TOA above; where the two disagree, the reconciliation strip under Budget figures shows both.
Wider than this screen — swipe the table sideways for the remaining fiscal-year columns.
| Project | All Prior Years | FY24 Actuals | FY25 Total | FY26 Base | FY26 Request |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Program Element | $0 | $375.0M | $455.6M | $992.0K | $992.0K |
| 656565: Ground Based SDA | $0 | $222.4M | $234.6M | $0 | $0 |
| 65A006: Space Based SDA | $0 | $111.7M | $170.1M | $0 | $0 |
| 65A037: Ground Based Optical Sensor | $0 | $41.0M | $50.9M | $992.0K | $992.0K |
Follow the dollar
Appropriation → program element → top high-confidence awards → recipient families → congressional districts.
Follow-the-dollar covers 312 of 1,938 programs — only high-confidence budget→award links are shown. why coverage is partial? →
The diagram illustrates the cited table below — amounts shown in the diagram are transaction sums per award (no citation chips); the per-district obligations in the table cite USAspending queries.
Related awards
Award linkage is shown for 32 of 200 profiled companies — high- and medium-confidence USAspending matches, each row labeled; medium is the weaker evidence. why partial award coverage? →
| Recipient | PIID | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| L3HARRIS TECHNOLOGIES, INC. | FA882320C0004 | high |
| NORTHROP GRUMMAN SYSTEMS CORPORATION | FA882024CB001 | high |
Contractor concentration
No concentration index is published for this line. This line's high-confidence links do not clear the floor for a published concentration index — at least 3 awards across 2 contractor families holding positive obligations, with positive net linked dollars. An index below that floor is a fact about the sample, not about the market. Whatever further links this line carries are medium-confidence, and what each medium evidence path does and does not establish is set out in the methodology. Both bases are in the downloadable warehouse.
Lobbying mentions
No Senate LDA lobbying filing in the tracked data mentions this program element by code or alias.
Oversight
Department-level designation (not specific to this program)
GAO lists 5 high-risk areas for DOD as a whole. That designation covers the department, not Space Situation Awareness Systems. No program-specific GAO finding for this line is in the ingested data. See the DOD oversight record.
Program dossier
No research dossier for this program — dossiers cover 50 of 1,938 programs, the largest fully J-book-detailed lines by FY2026 requested dollars. why no dossier here? →
Primary sources
Open any budget figure for its exact receipt. Verified line items lead with the highlighted government PDF; original spreadsheets download with their budget edition and exhibit in the filename.
Budget totals · TOA sources
FY2026 Department of Defense Budget: RDT&E Programs (R-1) · comptroller.war.gov
Exhibit R-1 · J805
Complete workbook · unchanged saved copy. Saves as PB2026_DoD_R-1_Research-Development-Test-Evaluation.xlsx.
FY2025 Department of Defense Budget: RDT&E Programs (R-1) · comptroller.war.gov
Exhibit R-1 · K786
Complete workbook · unchanged saved copy. Saves as PB2025_DoD_R-1_Research-Development-Test-Evaluation.xlsx.
FY2021 Department of Defense Budget: RDT&E Programs (R-1) · comptroller.war.gov
Exhibit R-1 · J833
Complete workbook · unchanged saved copy. Saves as PB2021_DoD_R-1_Research-Development-Test-Evaluation.xlsx.
FY2022 Department of Defense Budget: RDT&E Programs (R-1) · comptroller.war.gov
Exhibit R-1 · J799
Complete workbook · unchanged saved copy. Saves as PB2022_DoD_R-1_Research-Development-Test-Evaluation.xlsx.
FY2023 Department of Defense Budget: RDT&E Programs (R-1) · comptroller.war.gov
Exhibit R-1 · J775
Complete workbook · unchanged saved copy. Saves as PB2023_DoD_R-1_Research-Development-Test-Evaluation.xlsx.
FY2024 Department of Defense Budget: RDT&E Programs (R-1) · comptroller.war.gov
Exhibit R-1 · J766
Complete workbook · unchanged saved copy. Saves as PB2024_DoD_R-1_Research-Development-Test-Evaluation.xlsx.
Detailed budget justification
The related TOA spreadsheets above use a different accounting basis from R-2/P-40 detail. Their amounts are not assumed to match these detailed sources.
FY2026 Space Force Research and Development Test and Evaluation · www.saffm.hq.af.mil
PDF page 399