SpaceX has secured a $2.29 billion contract from the U.S. Space Force.

SpaceX has secured a $2.29 billion contract from the U.S. Space Force entailing the construction of a high-speed satellite communications network, the Space Data Network (SDN) Backbone. The SDN Backbone is a resilient network architecture built to deliver high-capacity, low-latency data transport for the military, with the vendor expected to provide a fully operational prototype by the end of 2027. The SDN will play a key role in enabling near real-time data transfer between missile warning and tracking sensors and interceptors, forming a critical part of the Trump administration's Golden Dome missile defense initiative. “The SDN Backbone leverages the best of commercial innovation and delivers a strong foundation for the SDN mission set — a huge benefit and enabler for our warfighters,” said Space Force Colonel Ryan Frazier, the acting portfolio acquisition executive overseeing the program. The SDN Backbone will integrate with the Space Development Agency's Transport Layer to support secure data transport for current and future Department of Defense missions, while the Space Force plans to select more contractors for satellites and network components later this summer. SpaceX Strengthens Defense Role However, the Pentagon denied the report, and Elon Musk confirmed it. Disclaimer: This content was partially produced with the help of AI tools and was reviewed and published by Benzinga editors. Image via Shutterstock

Future spacecraft could use a single propellant to perform both rapid movements and slow, highly controlled adjustments.

The S&P 500 and Nasdaq indexes fell on Tuesday as a rebound in technology shares faded.

Alphabet entered a cloud service agreement with SpaceX to pay $920 million per month for 200 megawatts of capacity from October 2026 through June 2029.