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On Friday, the Space Systems Command of the US Space Force revealed that it has secured eight launch missions from SpaceX. This marks the initial phase of a broader initiative where the military will procure numerous missions as part of a competitive process for valuable national security launch contracts.
The eight launches are categorized into two fixed-price “task orders,” which were opened for bidding earlier this year. One task order encompasses seven launches intended for the Space Development Agency’s network of missile tracking and data relay satellites. The second task order consists of a single mission designated for the National Reconnaissance Office, which oversees US government spy satellite operations.
Limited Competition
The competition framework restricted eligible bidders to just two entities: SpaceX and United Launch Alliance (ULA). Ultimately, SpaceX emerged victorious in both task orders, securing contracts worth a total of $733.5 million—averaging approximately $91.7 million per launch. All missions are scheduled to take off from Vandenberg Space Force Base in California, with launches expected to commence as early as late 2025.
For further details, you can read more here.
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