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Space Force awards SpaceX $2.29B for Space Data Network Backbone LEO communications

The U.S. Space Force has awarded SpaceX a $2.29 billion contract to develop the “Space Data Network Backbone,” a low Earth orbit satellite network intended to operate as a military internet in space. The backbone is positioned to support the broader Space Data Network, including SDA transport-layer satellites.

Discovered 2026-05-26T13:22:42.551676-07:00 | 2026-05-26T13:22:42.551676-07:00

Briefing

What Hype is tracking

This $2.29B award is a major step in standing up a space-based “military internet,” tying next-generation LEO communications directly to the Space Data Network buildout described across prior Space Force efforts.
The contract reinforces the service’s push to integrate and transition space communications/transport-layer architectures, building on the earlier shift away from SDA’s standalone role (Space Force acquisition reorg points to ending SDA as a standalone agency; PWSA transport layer to shift into new structure).
It also aligns with prior communications-data-relay work intended to harden on-orbit connectivity and standards, including Link-182 demonstrations for MILNET data relay (Space Force awards SpaceX $57M crosslink demo using Link-182 for MILNET data relay).

Reported By

Air & Space Forces Mag SpaceNews.com Breaking Defense CNA insidedefense.com