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Space Force raises Andromeda contract ceiling to $6.2B for GEO inspection and classified SILENTBARKER surveillance

The U.S. Space Force increased the ceiling for the Andromeda IDIQ space monitoring contract from $1.8B to more than $6.2B, covering replacements for the current GSSAP on-orbit inspection satellites and funding the classified SILENTBARKER space surveillance “birds.”

Discovered 2026-05-05T19:37:49.980359-07:00 | 2026-05-05T19:37:49.980359-07:00

Briefing

What Hype is tracking

  • The Andromeda ceiling expansion—from $1.8B to $6.2B+—signals a step-change in funding for persistent GEO space-domain awareness, tying directly to capabilities for on-orbit inspection and surveillance missions.
  • The scope spans both replacement of the current GSSAP on-orbit inspection satellites and work supporting the classified SILENTBARKER surveillance assets, indicating continuity plus modernization across sensing and monitoring.
  • This decision follows the Space Force’s broader procurement push for space-domain awareness architectures, including earlier Andromeda contract awards (source:1eae8bd5-8bc6-4209-8ad1-0a517cc09003) and parallel emphasis on closing orbital intelligence gaps (source:67e4da9b-1170-430e-9325-fa72ae0b772c).

Reported By

Aviation Week insidedefense.com keeptrack.space Breaking Defense Air & Space Forces Mag
Sources Tracked
5
First Seen
2026-05-05T19:37:49.980359-07:00
Latest Update
2026-05-07T21:23:20.161415-07:00
Coverage
Space

Sources

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