# Space Development Agency asks industry to shape missile-tracking payloads Responses are due Dec. 4, ahead of a planned Tranche 4 solicitation with production contracts and partnership opportunities for rapid prototyping and flight demonstrations. Published 2026-10-21 by TGOs. Canonical: https://tgos.io/news/2026/10/21/space-development-agency-asks-industry-to-shape-missile-tracking/ The Space Development Agency issued a request for information on Oct. 20, 2026, seeking industry feedback on upgrades to its Tracking Layer mission payloads and architecture.[1] The Tracking Layer is part of the Proliferated Warfighter Space Architecture.[1] Following the feedback phase, SDA plans to announce a Tranche 4 solicitation that includes production contracts alongside partnership opportunities for rapid prototyping and flight demonstrations of new mission payloads.[1] SDA wants input on enhancing the baseline system and on new capabilities that could help detect and track more challenging targets across their full flight trajectories.[1] Responses are due by noon Eastern on Dec. 4, 2026.[1] Additional details, mission objectives and architecture information are available upon request.[1] ## Why it matters Industry responses will inform the scope and design of possible short-term on-orbit demonstrations as well as future Tracking Layer tranches.[1] ## Sources 1. SDA: Request for Information for Tracking Layer Tranche 4 On-Orbit Demonstrations and Operations