spacetoday.net: Tournear returns to SDA

Posted: Sun, Apr 20, 2025, 10:13 AM ET (1413 GMT)
Derek Tournear will return to lead the Space Force's Space Development Agency after a three-month administrative leave. The Department of the Air Force said Monday that Tournear will return to his position on Thursday, three months after he was removed from the post for an investigation into alleged procedural irregularities in procurements of Tranche 2 Transport Layer – Gamma satellites. The investigation stemmed from a bid protest filed by satellite communications company Viasat, which raised concerns about the fairness and transparency of the contract awards. The Air Force has not disclosed specific reasons for Tournear's reinstatement, but Tournear has maintained strong backing on Capitol Hill throughout the investigation.