The U.S. Space Force has awarded SpaceX a series of launch contracts valued at $739 million to deploy advanced missile warning and tracking satellites. The task orders, managed by Space Systems Command (SSC), are part of a broader strategy to enhance the nation's defense capabilities in orbit.
These missions will support the Space Development Agency (SDA) and the National Reconnaissance Office (NRO), placing critical constellations into low Earth orbit over the next few years. The launches are scheduled to begin in late 2026 and continue through mid-2028.
Key Takeaways
- Space Systems Command awarded SpaceX nine launch task orders totaling $739 million.
- The launches will deploy satellites for the Space Development Agency (SDA) and the National Reconnaissance Office (NRO).
- Missions include deploying Tranche 2 Tracking Layer satellites for advanced missile warning and a new demonstration constellation called F2.
- The launches are scheduled to take place between the fourth quarter of fiscal year 2026 and the second quarter of fiscal year 2028.
A Strategic Investment in Orbital Defense
The U.S. Space Force is moving forward with its plans to build a more resilient and capable satellite architecture. The recent award of nine launch task orders under the National Security Space Launch (NSSL) Phase 3 program marks a significant step in this effort. The total value of these contracts is approximately $739 million, all awarded to SpaceX.
These launches are not routine; they are specifically designed to bolster the nation's ability to detect and track advanced missile threats. The payloads belong to two key government organizations: the Space Development Agency (SDA), which is responsible for building a layered network of military satellites, and the National Reconnaissance Office (NRO), which operates the country's spy satellites.
According to USSF Col. Matt Flahive, the system program director for Launch Acquisition, the awards reflect a commitment to efficiency and speed.
"Our mission to deliver national defense capabilities to the joint force is achieved with each task order we award," he explained. "The task orders awarded... demonstrate the importance we have placed on being time efficient and cost conscious... to reliably deliver space capability to the warfighter quicker and at the best value to the American taxpayer."
Details of the Upcoming Missions
The contracts are broken down into several distinct missions, each with a specific purpose in the broader national security framework.
Two primary task orders focus on the SDA's Proliferated Warfighter Space Architecture. This architecture is a large constellation of satellites in low Earth orbit designed for communications, data transport, and advanced missile tracking.
The Tranche 2 Tracking Layer
A significant portion of the missions will deploy satellites for the SDA's Tranche 2 Tracking Layer. This layer is crucial for identifying and tracking hypersonic missiles and other advanced threats.
- SDA-2 Task Order: This includes two launches carrying a total of eighteen Tranche 2 Tracking Layer satellites manufactured by L3Harris.
- SDA-3 Task Order: A separate set of two launches will carry another eighteen Tranche 2 Tracking Layer satellites, these built by Lockheed Martin.
These 36 satellites will join a growing network, providing global coverage and persistent surveillance capabilities that are difficult to achieve with traditional, higher-orbit satellites.
Launch Schedule at a Glance
- NTO-5 Launches (NRO): Q1 FY27 & Q2 FY28
- SDA-2 Launches (SpaceX): Starting Q4 FY26
- SDA-3 Launches (SpaceX): Starting Q3 FY27
Introducing the F2 Constellation
The SDA-2 task order also includes a launch for a new demonstration constellation named Fire-control On Orbit-support-to-the-war Fighter, or F2. This mission will deploy eight satellites built by Millennium Space Systems.
The F2 constellation is designed to provide advanced missile defense capabilities against particularly challenging targets. As a demonstration project, its performance will inform future developments and acquisitions for the Space Force, potentially leading to new, more effective defense systems.
The Role of NSSL Phase 3
These awards fall under the NSSL Phase 3 procurement strategy, which is structured to foster competition and provide flexible access to space for national security missions. The program is divided into two "lanes."
Understanding NSSL Lanes
Lane 1 is designed for commercial-like missions that do not require the most demanding launch vehicle performance or complex integration. It allows for a wider pool of emerging launch providers to compete for contracts, driving down costs.
Lane 2 is reserved for the most critical and complex national security missions, requiring launch vehicles with the highest levels of performance and reliability. These contracts are typically awarded to more established providers.
The recent $739 million in task orders were awarded under Lane 1, reflecting a strategy to leverage the commercial launch market for missions that fit its profile. This approach allows the Space Force to get capabilities into orbit more quickly and affordably, reserving the more intensive Lane 2 process for missions with unique requirements.
Space Systems Command, the field command responsible for these acquisitions, manages an annual budget of $15.6 billion. Its mandate is to develop and deliver space capabilities that can outpace emerging threats from potential adversaries.
SpaceX's Continued Dominance in National Security Launch
The decision to award all nine of these task orders to SpaceX underscores the company's established position in the national security launch market. With its Falcon 9 and Falcon Heavy rockets, SpaceX has demonstrated a high launch cadence and reliability that is attractive for deploying large constellations like the SDA's.
The NSSL Phase 3 strategy was intended to bring more competitors into the fold, and while other companies are eligible to compete for Lane 1 missions, SpaceX secured this entire block of awards. This continues a trend where the company has become a primary partner for the Department of Defense and intelligence community for getting their most important assets into space.
As these new constellations are deployed between 2026 and 2028, they will significantly enhance the United States' ability to monitor global threats from orbit, providing a critical layer of defense in an increasingly contested space domain.