SpaceX Wins $2.29bn Space Force Deal for Military Data Network

The US Space Force has awarded SpaceX a $2.29bn contract to build the backbone of a secure, high-speed satellite communications network intended to link military sensors and weapons systems around the world.

The service announced the award on 26 May, describing it as a firm-fixed-price agreement for the Space Data Network Backbone. The system is designed to provide resilient, high-capacity and low-latency data transport for the Joint Force through a proliferated low Earth orbit satellite constellation.

Under the agreement, SpaceX is required to deliver a fully operational prototype by the end of 2027. The network will use an expanded optically interconnected mesh of satellites to provide worldwide tactical communications and broadband services.

The Space Force said the program is intended to keep sensors and weapons platforms connected continuously, globally and securely. The system could help move data from missile-tracking sensors to interceptors in near real time.

The Space Data Network Backbone is also meant to complement the Space Development Agency’s Transport Layer, another low Earth orbit communications architecture being built for the Pentagon. Together, the systems are expected to form part of a broader data transport architecture for current and future US military missions.

The award adds to SpaceX’s growing portfolio of US national security space work.

(reuters, im)