SpaceX wins $150 million contract to launch Space Development Agency satellites
SpaceX will launch the Space Development Agency satellites from Vandenberg Air Force Base, California. The agency estimates they will be ready to launch in late 2022.
SpaceX has been awarded a $150.4 million contract to launch as many as 28 satellites for the Pentagon’s space agency, the Defense Department announced Dec. 31.
The contract is to launch a mix of small and medium spacecraft of different sizes that the Space Development Agency is acquiring from multiple vendors. That includes 20 data-relay satellites known as the Transport Layer and the other eight are missile-warning satellites known as the Tracking Layer.
SpaceX will launch these satellites from Vandenberg Air Force Base, California.
The Space Development Agency requested bids on Oct. 6 and responses were due Nov. 9. The agency estimates the satellites will be ready to launch in late 2022.
The manifest will be divided into two planes of 14 spacecraft each in two circular near-polar orbits at an altitude of 950 kilometers, according to the request for proposals.
The agency said it would select a provider that offered the “best value” based on several criteria such as price, schedule and past performance.
Separately, SpaceX in October won a Space Development Agency contract to produce four Tracking Layer satellites but the work is on hold due to a protest by competing bidders that has not yet been resolved.
The contract is to launch a mix of small and medium spacecraft of different sizes that the Space Development Agency is acquiring from multiple vendors. That includes 20 data-relay satellites known as the Transport Layer and the other eight are missile-warning satellites known as the Tracking Layer.
SpaceX will launch these satellites from Vandenberg Air Force Base, California.
The Space Development Agency requested bids on Oct. 6 and responses were due Nov. 9. The agency estimates the satellites will be ready to launch in late 2022.
The manifest will be divided into two planes of 14 spacecraft each in two circular near-polar orbits at an altitude of 950 kilometers, according to the request for proposals.
The agency said it would select a provider that offered the “best value” based on several criteria such as price, schedule and past performance.
Separately, SpaceX in October won a Space Development Agency contract to produce four Tracking Layer satellites but the work is on hold due to a protest by competing bidders that has not yet been resolved.
AI Disclaimer: An advanced artificial intelligence (AI) system generated the content of this page on its own. This innovative technology conducts extensive research from a variety of reliable sources, performs rigorous fact-checking and verification, cleans up and balances biased or manipulated content, and presents a minimal factual summary that is just enough yet essential for you to function as an informed and educated citizen. Please keep in mind, however, that this system is an evolving technology, and as a result, the article may contain accidental inaccuracies or errors. We urge you to help us improve our site by reporting any inaccuracies you find using the "Contact Us" link at the bottom of this page. Your helpful feedback helps us improve our system and deliver more precise content. When you find an article of interest here, please look for the full and extensive coverage of this topic in traditional news sources, as they are written by professional journalists that we try to support, not replace. We appreciate your understanding and assistance.