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[SITUATION] · [ACTIVE] · [TECHNOLOGY]

2 clusters · 30 sources · 11 days · First seen · Last updated

SpaceX and US Space Force satellite launch cooperation

Overview

The U.S. Space Force has entered into a $1.6 billion contract with SpaceX to conduct 18 Falcon 9 launches through the end of 2027. Issued under the National Security Space Launch (NSSL) Phase 3 program, these missions are intended to deploy Pentagon-owned satellites for space-based sensing, targeting, and the new Space-Based Airborne Moving Target Indicator (SB-AMTI) system to improve threat detection.

On August 15, 2026, SpaceX set a new company record for the shortest interval between orbital launches by conducting two Falcon 9 missions just 38.5 minutes apart. The dual launches were executed from opposite coasts of the United States.

The first mission launched from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station, deploying eight Globalstar satellites developed by MDA Space to support direct-to-device and IoT communications. The first-stage booster, B1090, successfully landed at Cape Canaveral for its 14th flight.

Shortly after, a second Falcon 9 launched from Vandenberg Space Force Base for the USSF-366 mission. This classified U.S. Space Force operation involved a payload that observers suggest may involve Starshield technology. The booster for this mission, B1088, completed its 18th flight and landed on the autonomous droneship ‘Of Course I Still Love You’ in the Pacific Ocean. This successful recovery marked the 650th Falcon booster landing in SpaceX history.

Entities

Falcon 9 · SpaceX · United States Space Force · National Security Space Launch (NSSL) Phase 3 · U.S. Space Force

Timeline

  1. 2 days ago

    [TECHNOLOGY] 30 sources
    SpaceX sets record with dual Falcon 9 launches in 38 minutes

    SpaceX set a new record by launching two Falcon 9 rockets within 38 minutes, deploying Globalstar satellites in Florida and a classified US Space Force payload in California.

  2. 13 days ago

    [TECHNOLOGY] 2 sources
    US Space Force Awards SpaceX $1.6 B Contract for 18 Falcon 9 Military Launches

    The U.S. Space Force gave SpaceX a $1.6 billion contract for 18 Falcon 9 launches through 2027, supporting Pentagon satellites for targeting and airborne threat detection.

Sources

advanced-television.com · aijourn.com · brasilemfolhas.com.br · bright.nl · chem.vt.edu · cremation.com · desitalkchicago.com · dziennik-polityczny.com · fakti.bg · finanznachrichten.de · g4media.ro · ibtimes.co.uk · index.hr · infa.lt · it-boltwise.de · ithome.com · massive.news · newsable.asianetnews.com · pulptastic.com · sarajevo-x.com · skopje1.mk · spacedaily.com · spaceflightnow.com · spaceq.ca · stocktitan.net · telesintese.com.br · teslarati.com · time.news · timesng.com · vetmed.msstate.edu

This summary has been updated 2 times: see revision history