Space Industry and Business News
MISSILE DEFENSE
York deploys Dragoon satellite to bolster SDA missile alert and tactical link goals
illustration only
York deploys Dragoon satellite to bolster SDA missile alert and tactical link goals
by Clarence Oxford
Los Angeles CA (SPX) Jun 26, 2025

York Space Systems has announced the successful launch and early contact of its Dragoon satellite, a defense-focused mission developed for the Space Development Agency (SDA) under an accelerated timeline. The satellite lifted off on June 23, 2025, aboard a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket from Vandenberg Space Force Base. Within two hours of deployment, York established communications with the spacecraft.

Originally derived from York's T1DES contract with SDA, the Dragoon mission was isolated and expedited to fulfill a newly identified agency requirement. York repurposed an in-production spacecraft, completed integration and testing, and readied it for launch within several months, showcasing its capacity to deliver operational assets at speed.

"The Dragoon mission showcases exactly why our rapid mission delivery model matters," said Melanie Preisser, GM and Executive VP at York. "When SDA needed this capability sooner, we didn't just accelerate, we delivered. That kind of responsiveness is what today's defense posture demands."

Based on York's LX-CLASS platform, Dragoon integrates secure tactical satellite communications (TACSATCOM) from low Earth orbit. This platform also supports future contributions to SDA's Proliferated Warfighter Space Architecture (PWSA), including advanced missile warning and autonomous mission operations, encompassing design, software, and ground control.

York's vertically integrated strategy fuses spacecraft production, software-defined operations, and autonomous ground systems into a unified framework, aiming to maximize adaptability and mission success in dynamic defense environments.

"York was founded on the belief that the U.S. needed a faster, more adaptive way to build and operate space-based systems," said Dirk Wallinger, CEO of York. "What we're doing now-fielding fully integrated, mission-ready platforms in months, not years-isn't just a manufacturing achievement. It's the new model for how modern defense capabilities are delivered."

Following the Dragoon deployment, York plans to launch four additional distinct missions by the end of 2025.

Related Links
York Space Systems
Learn about missile defense at SpaceWar.com
Learn about nuclear weapons doctrine and defense at SpaceWar.com
All about missiles at SpaceWar.com
Learn about the Superpowers of the 21st Century at SpaceWar.com

Subscribe Free To Our Daily Newsletters
Tweet

RELATED CONTENT
The following news reports may link to other Space Media Network websites.
MISSILE DEFENSE
Trump 'Golden Dome' plan tricky and expensive: experts
Le Bourget, France (AFP) June 19, 2025
President Donald Trump's proposed "Golden Dome" defence system is a plan that will face mammoth technical and financial hurdles, and could increase global insecurity, experts say. Trump announced plans for the space-based system last month, saying it would eventually cost around $175 billion and would be operational by the end of his term in 2029. The planned defence shield's name is a nod to Israel's Iron Dome that has intercepted thousands of short-range rockets since 2011. But the US defe ... read more

MISSILE DEFENSE
A New Alloy is Enabling Ultra-Stable Structures Needed for Exoplanet Discovery

EU's Space Act would track space objects and clear satellite debris

Q-Tech expands rad-hardened oscillator line to boost new space platform designs

US Radar Test Marks Milestone in Missile Threat Detection Capabilities

MISSILE DEFENSE
Eutelsat to Deliver Low Orbit Satellite Services Under New French Defense Agreement

France finds cash for 'strategic asset' satellite firm Eutelsat

Skynet 6A military satellite advances with successful module integration

Skynet 6A reaches integration milestone as Airbus prepares next-gen military satellite

MISSILE DEFENSE
MISSILE DEFENSE
Bogong moths rely on stars and magnetic fields to guide epic migrations

Breakthrough hybrid model restores orbit accuracy for BeiDou-3 satellites

SpaceX launches advanced GPS satellite for Space Force

Satellites Enhance Navigation Safety on the Mersey with Cutting-Edge Tidal Mapping

MISSILE DEFENSE
B-2 bomber pilots to be honored at White House Fourth of July celebration

Sceye secures SoftBank backing to launch HAPS connectivity services in Japan

Former head of major Chinese airline under graft investigation

Swiss, US in spat over cost of F-35 fighter jets

MISSILE DEFENSE
China calls Taiwan's tech blacklist 'despicable'

Malaysia verifying report of Chinese firm bypassing US tech curbssnow

Smaller smarter sensor delivers precision vacuum measurement across vast pressure range

Taiwan adds China's Huawei, SMIC to export blacklist

MISSILE DEFENSE
SatSure and Dhruva Space unite to deliver complete Earth observation service solutions

ICEYE to deliver persistent radar imaging to NATO for enhanced space-based intelligence sharing

Successful liftoff delivers Sentinel4 on MTG satellite to enhance atmospheric forecasting

Tianwen 2 captures Earth and moon from deep space on asteroid mission

MISSILE DEFENSE
Toxic threat from 'forever chemicals' sparks resistance in Georgia towns

Italy chemical plant execs jailed for pollution

Verdict expected in Italy 'forever chemicals' trial

'Eat the rich': Venice protests shadow Bezos wedding

Subscribe Free To Our Daily Newsletters




The content herein, unless otherwise known to be public domain, are Copyright 1995-2024 - Space Media Network. All websites are published in Australia and are solely subject to Australian law and governed by Fair Use principals for news reporting and research purposes. AFP, UPI and IANS news wire stories are copyright Agence France-Presse, United Press International and Indo-Asia News Service. ESA news reports are copyright European Space Agency. All NASA sourced material is public domain. Additional copyrights may apply in whole or part to other bona fide parties. All articles labeled "by Staff Writers" include reports supplied to Space Media Network by industry news wires, PR agencies, corporate press officers and the like. Such articles are individually curated and edited by Space Media Network staff on the basis of the report's information value to our industry and professional readership. Advertising does not imply endorsement, agreement or approval of any opinions, statements or information provided by Space Media Network on any Web page published or hosted by Space Media Network. General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) Statement Our advertisers use various cookies and the like to deliver the best ad banner available at one time. All network advertising suppliers have GDPR policies (Legitimate Interest) that conform with EU regulations for data collection. By using our websites you consent to cookie based advertising. If you do not agree with this then you must stop using the websites from May 25, 2018. Privacy Statement. Additional information can be found here at About Us.