Space Development Agency Deputy Director Dr. Gurpartap “GP” Sandhoo. Photo: SDA

The Space Development Agency (SDA) has named Dr. Gurpartap “GP” Sandhoo as the new deputy director, with the departure of Deputy Director Ryan Frigm. 

SDA announced Sandhoo’s appointment on July 8. He will support SDA Director Derek Tournear in managing the organization and executing the development, fielding, and operation of the SDA’s constellation, the Proliferated Warfighter Space Architecture.

Sandhoo previously served as vice president and chief architect at Quantum Space and as director for Emerging Technologies at Northrop Grumman. He previously served as deputy director at the Intelligence Advanced Research Projects Agency (IARPA) and head of the Spacecraft Engineering Division at the U.S. Naval Research Laboratory. He is a veteran of more than 36 years of military service and last served as the National Reconnaissance Office liaison to the Security Assistance Group-Ukraine and as a senior scientist at the Defense Innovation Unit.

Tournear commented in an SDA release that Sandhoo brings the agency “impeccable space acquisition credentials and experience,” as SDA prepares to launch PWSA Tranche 1 later this summer. 

Sandhoo replaces Frigm, who has been the SDA’s inaugural director and helped stand up the organization in 2019. Frigm

“I’d like to thank Ryan for his immeasurable contributions and leadership over the last six years as we built the agency from the ground up and accelerated space acquisition strategies to get capabilities into the hands of warfighters at speed,” Tournear commented. 

Separately, Paula Trimble, who served as SDA policy chief and director of legislative affairs, has joined Muon Space as vice president of Government Affairs and Strategy. Muon Space highlighted Trimble’s experience in national security space policy, defense innovation, and federal engagement.