# L3Harris, Sierra Space to build 36 satellites to expand U.S. missile-tracking network

> **Newsylist Open Intelligence Dossier** · First detected: 2026-07-14 09:29 UTC · Category: Business · Sources: 7 · Current Velocity: 4.63

## Executive Summary
The U.S. Space Force has awarded contracts to L3Harris and Sierra Space to construct 36 satellites for a new missile-tracking network.

## Intelligence Brief
The Space Development Agency has issued awards for the construction of 36 satellites designated for the 'Golden Dome' missile defense project. These satellites are intended to form an Accelerated Missile Defense Tracking layer, specifically tasked with identifying and tracking hypersonic missiles. Coverage from outlets including Reuters, The Denver Post, and SpaceNews highlights that L3Harris will supply 18 of the satellites under a $955 million contract.


Sierra Space is also involved in the project, having secured a $798 million contract. These details were further confirmed by official releases from the Space Development Agency and reporting by Air & Space Forces Magazine and Interesting Engineering. Future developments will involve the manufacturing and integration of these assets into the Tranche 3 defense layer.


Coverage does not yet specify the timeline for the satellites' deployment or full operational capability.

## Verified Facts & Key Claims
### Which companies received contracts?
The Space Development Agency awarded contracts to L3Harris and Sierra Space.

### What is the purpose of the satellites?
The satellites are part of the Accelerated Missile Defense Tracking layer, designed to track hypersonic missiles.

### What is the name of the program?
The initiative is referred to as the Golden Dome missile shield project.

## Key People, Organizations & Locations
Build, US Space Force, L3Harris Sierra Space, L3Harris, U.S Space Force, AMDT3, Space Development Agency Issues Awards, Accelerated Missile Defense Tracking Layer Satellites for Tranche, Support of Golden Dome for America, Sierra Space

## Multi-Source Evidence Table
| Source Outlet | Headline | Published (UTC) | Verification URL |
|---|---|---|---|
| Interesting Engineering | US Space Force turns to satellite to track hypersonic missiles | 2026-07-13 21:08 | [Source Link](https://news.google.com/rss/articles/CBMizAFBVV95cUxQek5uU29HYnBPVThQdHJ2T0IxQzFxOEdFaXM2MTYtdnoxRFY5a2pwMDJyYlVTTHV2VkJoUW9WbzBzR04wOURrY09zS0JOUE1YeWQ2bzFPQ3JUVEV1YnFCSFZKS1o1aVdybHVZV2tBOFRVaU03bGoxcy1WYTRERGphcGhKT0d5RFJrY1MxMFhEREFOeFFheExkZlM5d1JycjZOa0twQ2h4em82WDdCUmU3RER1OVRkM0NnaV9qZmQ2d05mRjZlV05JdFNUSzY?oc=5) |
| The Denver Post | Colorado’s Sierra Space lands pivotal $798 million ‘Golden Dome’ defense contract | 2026-07-13 21:08 | [Source Link](https://news.google.com/rss/articles/CBMifkFVX3lxTFB4RTI3ZGU3dUpheFhaMVE0a0phWnRLQVJGZFJMZmdmci1FNVM3Y3ZpQ0V3Xzd1NmRPT3VTRVhnZ0hFUk9uWnZxWkxtYjF1b3pwVnJhMEEyZkhSSjdfdENqWWNxRUVUb1k4bzE1bk12YUlnWm54V0ZKY1hCMmp4QQ?oc=5) |
| Seeking Alpha | L3Harris wins U.S. Space Force contract for 18 missile-tracking AMDT3 satellites | 2026-07-13 21:08 | [Source Link](https://news.google.com/rss/articles/CBMitwFBVV95cUxNcjY0bFR1bE1oZjA3WlRsVnJtX3ZCZURrd25SbjhnT3J3b2ZPZG9EOVdudkIydmFBU3RYMEdTODdJZDlyeG05QzdrM2JiVDNScFNJZ3dRaWN4eHpQNmxUNGtSX1lGN2tQeXBPQlZiMzcweUJ0MGZaQjM3S2lpd1RLZnhRLTAwYmlRb2NSNnNJbU9pVWd1Q1V2Wm1QUS1FalBHVVpSMERmd3pNREFYX0xaYktJbW1pSzg?oc=5) |
| sda.mil | Space Development Agency Issues Awards to Build 36 Accelerated Missile Defense Tracking Layer Satellites for Tranche 3 in Support of Golden Dome for America | 2026-07-13 21:08 | [Source Link](https://news.google.com/rss/articles/CBMiiAJBVV95cUxOT2ZCeEMxSXF4T2NORHpVRmNQNEhRWmFOeGhjb1N4dU0xRWZWUHc5b1h2TTMwNVFRc2xGOGdBcWhrWm9rbVpTYlpZZ3hDcjZHZ1VjWGY1aFlpaEM3b1M4Z2dpUEdRTldEcU5MRTJoOGxBTldVb0VCUU45MDZmazZsVXA2bU9wXzMtWEJYV1ZzSzM1NEVJY2tMU1VtTThVNGtTOXduOVNMRlBjenBJZy1OeDg2LTBlcG5nd01DSmVKZVBIQkQzMnJ2ekhhaE5DUGhsa28tMUE2ZnM2VElZazNpY2toUWlqQXRBMjNUX2xydnFuWlBNazdGZS00LTl0eUdJV3hCOEx2ajE?oc=5) |
| Reuters | L3Harris gets $955 million US contract to supply 18 satellites for Golden Dome missile shield | 2026-07-13 21:08 | [Source Link](https://news.google.com/rss/articles/CBMi2AFBVV95cUxOMWJJb05aV0VDNHFuS2ttTWY1N3F6N0NnVElySGVBUjdabjVsTXlaSEVmeHFmSFRfYnp5eGJHTjNYWW5SanNaaUFMMnE3UFVPSnR2UndjRlYxdkd2aUQ2OGpfbzRfN3RGRGNoVHNTT29VUV8zaUVTZHZ1aVVYT0VxdWVjTlExdzlHb3BDRk9iWjhtWldleDQ4X2kyOHZzc0F1eEdOanhXellDM0ppUVhKWFZGc3FkLTZIMHpnRlpKLW8xTm9UNGd0V3VOc1FFNmhQUmJuaC1fT1g?oc=5) |
| Air & Space Forces Magazine | SDA Awards Contracts for 36 Golden Dome Missile Tracking Satellites | 2026-07-13 21:08 | [Source Link](https://news.google.com/rss/articles/CBMipAFBVV95cUxQUnBaODUzTVVMMlZUcTdzWERXUkUtVlIwWnJTdUNJWEdoX280UzRiWDVvcXlvdlFJT3dtd1E2UGE0ZU12OTBQd3VqUjd3WFI1U0RGeXQzSW94ejk0c25jcVo1elBzVjMzQV9MWmFUR0FpNWNLRGNZNVRZOHhLZklqVkcxQ0Q0czFFRDRUQmZtYy05dXh6QTFRUy0tVEhSYWFNX3hqMA?oc=5) |
| SpaceNews | L3Harris, Sierra Space to build 36 satellites to expand U.S. missile-tracking network | 2026-07-13 21:08 | [Source Link](https://news.google.com/rss/articles/CBMiqgFBVV95cUxOVnhEUE4xTXRWSllUTnp0ZkgxUk5CdDdTa1JlYWZWaVR5WGlZUTkzZmprbXBTMGhZWXZEY1ZSM09Wdkt6d1ktNngzbFpFY29FZmNNTF81UHpJZEpLQzQwVk01bVRramIwRnd2NGV3VjByZDRTYnQxVkVWZnoxbXk2M2RiVFBMSGR2UmNBWlB1Y3VwMGp0aXE3cTVWajNqMExjZTFYbEctb21xdw?oc=5) |

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*Canonical Source: https://www.newsylist.com/trend/2026-07-14/l3harris-sierra-space-to-build-36-satellites-to-expand-u-s-missile-tracking*
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