# The U.S. Space Force has granted SpaceX a significant $2.29 billion contract to construct a robust satellite communications network.

*aerospace · news · 2026-05-28 · Devdiscourse*

## Key points

- SpaceX secured a $2.29 billion contract to build the Space Force's Space Data Network.
- The Space Data Network will provide secure, high-speed global military satellite communications.
- NASA granted contracts to Blue Origin and others for robotic landers and rovers for lunar missions.
- A new Chinese fossil pushes sophisticated bird mating displays back to over 121 million years ago.
- The Plumadraco bankoorum fossil reveals advanced avian behavior much earlier in evolutionary history.

In a groundbreaking move, the U.S. Space Force has granted SpaceX a significant $2.29 billion contract to construct a robust satellite communications network intended for global military use. This deal marks a pivotal advancement in developing a secure, high-speed data transport backbone known as the Space Data Network (SDN). Meanwhile, NASA has made strides in its lunar exploration missions by awarding contracts to several space firms, including Blue Origin. The collaboration is set to facilitate the delivery of robotic landers and rovers designed to assist upcoming missions aimed at returning humans to the moon. On a historical note, the ancient dating of bird behavior has been pushed back as a newly discovered fossil in China suggests sophisticated mating displays among bird species over 121 million years ago. The fossil of Plumadraco bankoorum offers new insights into avian evolution and behavior. (With inputs from agencies.)

**Companies:** SpaceX, Blue Origin
**Countries:** United States

[Read the full story on Devdiscourse](https://www.devdiscourse.com/article/science-environment/3924298-exploring-the-cosmos-space-innovations-and-historical-discoveries)

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