Austin, January 10: SpaceX, led by billionaire Elon Musk, has secured a significant contract from the United States Space Force valued at USD 739 million. The agreement, announced by the Space Systems Command (SSC) on January 9, 2026, covers nine task orders under the National Security Space Launch (NSSL) Phase 3 Lane 1 programme. These missions are strategically designed to bolster the United States’ orbital capabilities, specifically focusing on the deployment of advanced missile-warning and tracking satellites into low Earth orbit.

The primary objective of these launches is to support the Space Development Agency (SDA) and the National Reconnaissance Office (NRO). By leveraging SpaceX’s reliable Falcon 9 fleet, the US military aims to accelerate the deployment of a resilient space architecture capable of detecting and monitoring global threats, including hypersonic missiles. This contract further solidifies SpaceX’s dominance in the military launch sector following its successful acquisition of several high-priority missions throughout 2025. ISRO PSLV-C62 Mission Launch on January 12; Space Agency To Deploy EOS-N1 and 15 Co-Passenger Satellites in 1st Mission of 2026.

US Space Force SDA-2 and SDA-3 Mission Details

The USD 739 million award is divided into specific mission sets with varying launch windows. The SDA-2 task order includes three launches: two dedicated to carrying 18 Tranche 2 Tracking Layer space vehicles built by L3Harris, and one launch for eight Fire-control On Orbit-support-to-the-warfighter (F2) vehicles produced by Millennium Space Systems. These missions are projected to begin in the fourth quarter of the 2026 fiscal year.

The SDA-3 task order consists of two additional launches scheduled for the third quarter of fiscal 2027. These will deliver 18 Tranche 2 Tracking Layer satellites manufactured by Lockheed Martin. According to a report by The Times of India, these satellites are integral to the transport layer of the military’s constellation, which provides secure, low-latency data connectivity for warfighters worldwide.

National Reconnaissance Office and Lane 1 Strategy

 

Beyond the SDA missions, the contract includes the NTO-5 task order, which supports a series of classified missions for the National Reconnaissance Office. Because the NRO manages the nation’s spy satellites, specific technical details regarding these payloads remain confidential, though they are expected to enhance global surveillance and intelligence-gathering capabilities.

The Phase 3 Lane 1 programme represents a shift in how the Pentagon acquires launch services, focusing on time-efficient and cost-conscious commercial providers. Colonel Matt Flahive, the system programme director for Launch Acquisition at the USSF, stated that these task orders demonstrate the military’s commitment to delivering space capability to the joint force quickly. This approach allows the Space Force to tap into the high-frequency launch cadence developed by private entities like SpaceX.

SpaceX Market Impact and Contract Value

The SpaceX mission price for these specialised launches includes integration and mission-specific orbital requirements. This latest win follows an October 2025 announcement in which SpaceX secured five out of seven critical military missions, outperforming competitors such as United Launch Alliance (ULA) and Blue Origin. With its current trajectory, SpaceX is expected to handle the bulk of the 54 planned launches under the NSSL Phase 3 Lane 2 programme through 2029. Interstellar Comet 3I/ATLAS May Be the Oldest Observed, Scientists Evaluate Natural Explanations for Alien Signal Reports.

This steady stream of government contracts has been instrumental in the company’s valuation and technical development. As SpaceX continues to refine its reusable rocket technology, the cost per mission for national security launches is expected to remain competitive, providing better value to the American taxpayer while ensuring the US military maintains its strategic advantage in space.

 

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(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Jan 10, 2026 09:46 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).