The Space Development Agency’s first director is already out

The director of the Space Development Agency has resigned after just over three months on the job.

“Dr. Fred Kennedy has been serving on a detail from DARPA as the director of the Space Development Agency. He has stepped down from that role and is returning to DARPA. An acting director of SDA will be announced soon,” said DoD spokeswoman Heather Babb in a statement to C4ISRNET.

The news was first reported by Breaking Defense June 21.

Kennedy was named the agency’s first director when it was originally stood up by acting Defense Secretary Patrick Shanahan March 12. At the time, Kennedy was serving as the current director of the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency’s Tactical Technology Office. He served prior to that as the senior policy adviser for national security space and aviation in the National Security and International Affairs Division of the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy.

RELATED

Pentagon officially stands up Space Development Agency, names first director

The new office will be led by a DARPA expert.

By Aaron Mehta and Valerie Insinna

Babb went on to clarify that Kennedy’s resignation would not change the direction of the SDA.

“There is no change to the mission or activities of the Space Development Agency. SDA will drive the department’s future threat-driven space architecture and will accelerate the development and fielding of the new military space capabilities necessary to ensure our technological and military advantage in space for national defense,” she said.

More In Space

US Air Force stages dogfights with AI-flown fighter jet

The Air Force hopes that teaching AI to dogfight -- perhaps the hardest flying style to master -- will make it easier to autonomously fly other missions.

Resolving the disconnect between industry and the DOD’s space strategy

The Commercial Space Integration Strategy seeks to ensure commercial solutions are available when and where needed, in peacetime and during conflicts.

From customer to sanctioned ‘proliferator,’ drones extend Iran’s reach

Iranian contractors and government officials have picked up on market demand, frequenting arms expos and other events in Russia, Iraq, Qatar and more.

Ukraine, allies scour the world for coveted air defense systems

The lack of air defenses could mark a turning point in Ukraine's defense against the Russian invasion, Ukrainian officials have said.

US Army aims to complete multidomain task force structure by FY28

The service is planning to station its 5th Multidomain Task Force at Fort Liberty, North Carolina, and will complete formation all five MDTF units by FY28.