US Space Force awards SpaceX $2.29B contract for military…

The US Space Force has awarded SpaceX a $2.29 billion contract to develop a space-based military data network, marking one of the largest single defense contracts awarded to Elon Musk's aerospace company to date.

The contract expands SpaceX's already significant footprint in national security space programs, building on its existing launch and communications work for the US military. A dedicated military data network in orbit would provide resilient, high-bandwidth connectivity for defense operations — a capability the Space Force has been prioritizing as peer adversaries develop anti-satellite capabilities.

For SpaceX, the award deepens its role as a critical infrastructure provider for US defense, alongside its commercial Starlink constellation and ongoing launch contracts.