Announcing the Launch of Sierra Space Defense
Sierra Space, a prominent force in commercial space technology and an emerging prime contractor in the defense-tech arena, has officially announced the formation of Sierra Space Defense—a specialized division focused exclusively on national security space operations. This strategic initiative marks a significant evolution in the company’s trajectory as it positions itself to address the growing threats in the space domain and reinforce the U.S. defense industrial base.
In tandem with this major announcement, Sierra Space also revealed a substantial infrastructure expansion with the establishment of a new manufacturing hub named “Victory Works.” Located in Centennial, Colorado, the new facility will add 60,000 square feet of advanced production space. This brings Sierra Space’s total operational footprint to over one million square feet across seven U.S. states, further enabling the company to meet the urgent demands of the modern defense landscape.
Responding to a Shifting Security Landscape
The creation of Sierra Space Defense comes at a time when global space security is facing unprecedented challenges. The U.S. and its allies are increasingly contending with near-peer adversaries who are rapidly expanding and enhancing their capabilities in the space domain. As threats evolve, national security demands faster, more adaptable, and resilient space-based technologies. Sierra Space is answering that call by leveraging its commercial expertise to innovate at speed, delivering advanced systems that meet the rigorous standards of defense operations.
“The threat landscape in space is changing rapidly, and the U.S. defense establishment must keep pace,” said Erik Daehler, Vice President at Sierra Space, who will lead the new Sierra Space Defense division. “We are mission-focused and committed to supporting our national security partners with precision, agility, and cutting-edge technologies. With Sierra Space Defense, we are creating an agile and robust platform that brings together the best of commercial innovation and defense-grade reliability.”
A Track Record of Defense Innovation
The foundation for Sierra Space Defense is already well-established. Since 2023, Sierra Space has secured $1.5 billion in defense and national security contracts, underscoring its growing reputation as a trusted provider of mission-critical space systems. A significant portion of this funding—$740 million—was awarded in January 2024 by the Space Development Agency (SDA) for the development and production of 18 missile warning and defense satellites, part of the SDA’s Tranche 2 Tracking Layer.
In addition to this marquee contract, Sierra Space has also made strides in satellite navigation and positioning technologies. In September 2024, the U.S. Space Force awarded the company a “Quick Start” Resilient GPS (R-GPS) agreement, reflecting trust in Sierra Space’s ability to rapidly deliver next-generation GPS capabilities critical for national security operations.
Sierra Space’s broader spacecraft systems business continues to thrive, with over 20 active contracts for key components such as solar arrays and other hardware essential to government and defense clients. These programs collectively demonstrate Sierra Space’s growing role in shaping the future of the national defense infrastructure from orbit.
Victory Works: The Future of Defense Manufacturing
To support the expanding needs of Sierra Space Defense, the company is investing heavily in new infrastructure. The newly unveiled Victory Works production facility will become the cornerstone of Sierra Space’s defense manufacturing operations. This 60,000 square-foot building will focus on producing the company’s next-generation Eclipse™ satellite bus, a versatile and modular platform optimized for national security missions.
Victory Works will complement the existing 24,000 square feet of manufacturing space that is already dedicated to national defense projects. This facility underscores the company’s commitment to not only developing innovative technologies but also scaling them for deployment with unmatched speed and efficiency.
Expert Leadership and Strategic Vision
Sierra Space’s leadership team brings deep expertise to its defense mission. The new division will be overseen by Erik Daehler, whose strategic vision is aligned with the company’s commitment to serving U.S. defense interests with urgency and innovation. Daehler emphasized that partnerships would play a critical role in Sierra Space Defense’s success, citing the company’s ongoing collaboration with Sierra Nevada Corporation (SNC) and key programs such as Golden Dome—a mission focused on enhancing U.S. resilience in contested space environments.
Reinforcing Sierra Space’s strategic direction is Lt. Gen. John E. Shaw (U.S. Space Force, Ret.), a member of the company’s National Security Space Strategic Advisor Group. Shaw underscored the gravity of current space threats, stating: “The growing scope and scale of what our adversaries are doing in space is alarming. The threat environment is evolving rapidly, and we must outpace them with speed and agility. That’s where commercial space companies like Sierra Space make a difference.”
The Sierra Space Defense Portfolio: Pioneering Next-Gen Capabilities
Sierra Space Defense is launching with a robust suite of advanced space technologies, each designed to address specific national security challenges:
- Sierra Space Eclipse™
A next-generation product line of small, high-performance, cost-effective satellites ideal for on-orbit servicing and responsive space missions. The Eclipse platform forms the backbone of the company’s satellite solutions and will be manufactured at Victory Works. - Sierra Space Ghost™
An innovative space logistics solution capable of delivering payloads back to Earth or to specific points in space. This high-precision return capability is particularly valuable for intelligence gathering, materials testing, and rapid response operations. - Sierra Space Spectre™
A groundbreaking satellite designed for Rendezvous and Proximity Operations (RPO), enabling precision maneuvering and close-in inspection of other space assets. This capability is critical for national security in an era of increasing satellite congestion and potential adversarial interference. - Sierra Black OS™
An advanced, AI-powered operating system that seamlessly integrates space, air, and ground platforms. This software-driven architecture is designed to support autonomous operations, real-time decision-making, and data fusion across domains—an essential requirement in modern multi-domain defense environments.
A New Standard for National Security Space
With the launch of Sierra Space Defense, the company is signaling its commitment to setting a new benchmark for the future of national security in space. It is bridging the gap between commercial agility and defense-grade precision, offering innovative solutions that are both cost-effective and combat-ready.
As adversarial threats continue to evolve and intensify, the need for rapid innovation, scalable manufacturing, and seamless integration across air, space, and ground has never been greater. Sierra Space Defense stands ready to meet that challenge, forging a bold new path for the next generation of space-based defense technology.