SpaceX to build $2.29 billion military satellite communications network for the US

The U.S. Space Force has awarded SpaceX a $2.29 billion contract to build a secure, high-speed satellite communications network to connect military sensors and weapons platforms worldwide, the agency announced Tuesday, UNN reports, citing Reuters.

Details

The non-traditional fixed-price contract covers the Space Data Network (SDN) Backbone, a resilient network architecture providing high-speed, low-latency data transmission for the military.

The U.S. Space Force stated that the provider must deliver a fully operational prototype by the end of 2027.

Among other functions, the SDN will provide communication links to integrate and transmit data from missile warning and tracking sensors to interceptors in near real-time—a capability seen as central to the Trump administration's "Golden Dome" missile defense initiative.

"The SDN Backbone leverages the best of commercial innovation and provides a solid foundation for the SDN mission—a huge advantage and enabler for our warfighters," said U.S. Space Force Colonel Ryan Frazier, acting procurement program manager.

The SDN Backbone is a Proliferated Low Earth Orbit (pLEO) satellite constellation that will expand the network of satellites providing global communication services, the Pentagon stated. It will operate in conjunction with the U.S. Space Development Agency's Transport Layer, forming a unified architecture that ensures the transmission of critical data for current and future U.S. Department of Defense missions.

The U.S. Space Force said it plans to identify additional contractors to build satellites and other network elements over the summer.

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