Space Minds 2025 was "almost a watershed year" for the Space Development Agency
Dec 18, 2025
Dr. Gurpartap "GP" Sandhoo, a Senior Space Development Agency leader, shares insights on transformative advancements in 2025. He discusses groundbreaking achievements like tracking hypersonic threats with low Earth orbit sensors and the introduction of space-based Link 16 communications for broader operational reach. The conversation also covers the successful demonstration of the first optical space-to-air laser link. Sandhoo emphasizes the importance of speed, adaptability, and emerging technologies as key to future endeavors.
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LEO Hypersonic Tracking Worked Better Than Expected
- SDA proved missile-tracking sensors can work effectively in LEO against dynamic backgrounds.
- GP Sandhoo says tracking performance exceeded expectations across land and sea backgrounds.
Link 16 From Space Enables Beyond-LOS Targeting
- SDA successfully extended Link 16 into space to reach aircraft, ships, and ground nodes.
- Sandhoo frames this as enabling beyond-line-of-sight tactical comms without changing legacy radios.
Optical Laser Links Reached Aircraft From Space
- SDA demonstrated high-bandwidth optical links: space-to-space, space-to-ground, and space-to-air.
- Sandhoo highlights the August demo of a laser link to a flying aircraft as a major technical win.