York Space Systems (York) has successfully deployed and made contact with the Dragoon mission, a contract executed under an accelerated timeline for the Space Development Agency (SDA).
The satellite launched aboard a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket from Vandenberg Space Force Base on June 23, 2025, and York established communications within two hours of deployment.
Dragoon originated as part of York’s T1DES contract with SDA but was carved out and fast-tracked in response to an identified agency need. York reallocated a spacecraft from its production line, completed payload integration, and performed testing and launch preparations in a matter of several months, demonstrating the company’s ability to deliver mission-ready systems 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.”
Built on York’s LX-CLASS platform, Dragoon demonstrates secure connectivity integration with tactical satellite communication (TACSATCOM) system capabilities from low Earth orbit. The future LX-CLASS architecture includes end-to-end support, from design and manufacturing through flight software, ground systems, and autonomous mission operations to advanced missile warning capabilities as part of SDA’s Proliferated Warfighter Space Architecture (PWSA).
York’s approach combines rapid mission architecture development with spacecraft production, software-defined operations, and autonomous ground systems to deliver complete defense solutions, designed for speed, adaptability, and mission success. By unifying hardware, software, and operations into a single platform, York enables real-time responsiveness and operational advantage across contested domains.
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.”
With Dragoon successfully deployed, York is accelerating its 2025 launch cadence with four additional unique missions scheduled for this year.
SDA completes launch of T1DES prototype satellite
The Space Development Agency successfully launched the first prototype among 12 risk reduction satellites that comprise the Tranche 1 Demonstration and Experimentation System (T1DES) constellation that will demonstrate tactical data delivery to warfighter platforms to support capabilities such as targeting, missile warning and the tracking of advanced missile threats.
The prototype satellite will support integration with tactical satellite communication (TACSATCOM) system capabilities from LEO. The launch also serves as a pathfinder for York Space Systems’ LX-CLASS satellite platform, which is slated for use in other existing award agreements between SDA and York.
The launch occurred on June 23rd. aboard SpaceX’s Falcon 9 rocket within the Transporter 14 rideshare mission and carried to orbit theT1DES Proto (York Space Systems’ name: Dragoon.)
The remaining 11 T1DES satellite vehicles, planned for launch in fiscal year 2026, will conduct demonstrations and experimentation of TACSATCOM, advanced waveforms, and Integrated Broadcast Service (IBS) capabilities, which are key for future connectivity of joint warfighters around the globe.
T1DES will demonstrate mission payloads and configurations for potential proliferation through future tranches of the Proliferated Warfighter Space Architecture in an effort to lower latency of tactical data delivery and enhance beyond line-of-sight targeting capability,” said SDA Director Derek Tournear. “We’re very pleased to see this prototype space vehicle launch four months ahead of the original T1DES baseline schedule and before the first launch of Tranche 1’s operational space vehicles.”
