The US Space Force has awarded SpaceX a $2.29 billion contract to build the Space Data Network (SDN) Backbone, a low-Earth orbit communications network designed to connect military sensors and targeting systems globally and securely, leveraging technology from SpaceX's Starlink and Starshield satellite platforms. The contract comes after the Pentagon's previous Space Development Agency (SDA) approach — which distributed work across multiple contractors — stalled due to supply chain bottlenecks and integration difficulties. SpaceX is required to deliver a fully operational prototype by the end of 2027, though the decision to consolidate the network under a single company has raised concerns among lawmakers about competition and open standards.
